Rainy Victoria Day parade still attracts crowds

by Rob Peters | May 19, 2008 at 07:06 pm | 859 views | 1 comment

So why is today a holiday again? In Canada the last Monday on or before May 24 is set aside to commemorate Queen Victoria's birthday.

However, most of us think of the day as an unofficial start to the summer. Victoria, BC hosts the country's longest standing and probably largest parade to celebrate the event, which is often attended by as many as 5,000 people.

Even today's muggy rain didn't hold the crowds back.

Turns out some of those parade clichés are true - everyone does love a parade, even if it rains.

About 135 floats paraded down Douglas Street this morning, starting from their gathering spot at Mayfair Shopping Centre to the Parliament buildings. Community groups from all over Vancouver Island and Canada trimmed up floats, or rode bicycles or walked, many waving to the people who lined Douglas Street.

The parade lasted some three hours, with a few long lags between the different floats and groups. But that gave families - some who grabbed their spots at 7:30 a.m. - a chance to eat their breakfasts. Some settled in with deckchairs, Thermoses of coffee, bagels, peanut butter and fruit.

Many people have made the annual parade a part of family life.

"I'm 52 and I can't remember ever not attending this parade," said Bonnie Davies, perched on the 2500-block of Douglas Street, in front of the transmission shop her family owns.

The marching bands are a favourite, with local schools giving their larger U.S. counterparts a run for the money.

About 10 demonstrators shouted out to the military trucks and bands that went by, saying tax dollars should be spent feeding children in poverty, not supporting wars.

The Island Farms Victoria Day parade marks its 110th anniversary this year, but it will more likely be remembered as the 150th anniversary parade.

That's because of the number of organizations in this year's parade that are celebrating 150th anniversaries. They include the Victoria Police Department, the Victoria Fire Department and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.