Thousands jam B.C.’s capital streets for 123rd Victoria Day Parade – BC | 24CA News

Tens of hundreds jammed the streets of downtown Victoria, Monday, for the 123rd Victoria Day parade, town’s largest spectacle of the yr.

And for the primary time because the begin of the COVID-19 pandemic, scholar bands have been allowed to journey from the United States and take part within the festivities.

“It’s great to have them back,” stated one man who was having fun with the parade together with his household. “I’ve enjoyed the parade since I was a kid, and it’s always been a highlight for me.”

At least two highschool marching bands from Washington State joined native college students to carry out.

Pandemic restrictions prevented what’s, for many college students, a senior yr spotlight.

“I love ’em because they’re big and they perform very well,” stated one other parade spectator who welcomed the return of U.S.-based bands.

The parade is one in all Victoria’s marquee occasions, drawing as much as 80,000 folks to downtown Victoria earlier than the pandemic.

No estimate of crowd measurement was instantly accessible Monday, although these in attendance stated cool temperatures and a quick rain bathe made the day nice.

The day was not with out its touching moments.

“Glory to Ukraine,” Ukrainian refugees chanted as they marched behind an indication studying “Thank you Greater Victoria.”

There are about 1,000 Ukrainian refugees on Vancouver Island, based on Help Ukraine Vancouver Island, a charity that helps newly arrived households settle into their new lives.

It additionally featured a flypast by the 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron to honour Paul Kilshaw, a neighborhood entertainer whose balloon-making introduced a smile to Princess Charlotte’s face throughout a Royal go to in 2016. Kilshaw died instantly on April 19 at work. He was 60 years outdated.

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