Monday May 20, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 8:15 pm on May 21, 2024]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today the 124th Victoria Day Parade takes its marching route down Douglas Street in downtown Victoria.
Here is the direct link to watch the Victoria Day Parade online as livestreamed by CHEK-TV (live parade action 9:30 am to 12 noon). But for a quick view, scroll down on this page for photos from the event.
The Victoria Day Parade celebration started in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday. There is no Victoria Day in the UK, only in Canada, as was pointed out by Canada’s Ambassador to the UK, Ralph Goodale, a few days ago in social media.
According to CHEK TV today, the economic impact of all the parade activity is estimated at $10 million. That includes travel, hotels, restaurants and marketing. At least six high school bands from Washington State were a smashing hit as they marched along.
Reportedly, about 80,000 people attended the parade today, to see about 80 floats go by.
Today’s parade moderator Paul Haysom noted the “melting pot” of culture in Victoria but it’s more of a mosaic… cultures stand out proud and unique, not melting together. Ukrainian, Chinese, Nepal, Korean, Filipino, Sikh, Peruvian, Japanese, Hispanic and African cultures were represented in the parade today.
Floats included firetrucks from Colwood, Saanich and View Royal. Make a Wish Diamond Rally cars drove in the parade. The Island Kids Cancer Association had a float. BC Transit also has Help Fill A Dream.
The Green Party (BC and federal) took part in the parade — lots of supporters wearing green, including Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May (who walked her dog along the route), BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau and Esquimalt-Colwood BC Green candidate Camille Currie.
Sponsors of the parade included Thrifty Foods, Dodds Furniture, Joan Wallace Driving School, Downtown Dental Victoria, Totem Towing, sunbelt Rentals, and Helijet.
The Saanich Fair had a float to promote their annual event coming up Aug 31 to Sept 2, 2024.
Weather was sunny today with spring-temperature weather (about 13°C during the parade).
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