Dark clouds threatened to rain on Quesnel’s parade, but the downpours ended just in time for the 44th annual Billy Barker Days parade.
Lawn chairs lined the city’s downtown streets as a lively procession of floats, trucks, motorcycles and groups on foot made its way from North Quesnel, winding down the streets and past the West Fraser Centre.
The are in front of the fire hall was the designated “wet zone,” with local volunteer firefighters spraying hoses high in the air to the delight of the crowds.
A lone police car led the way, followed by Quesnel Pipes and Drums band and the Mayor of Quesnel, with all kinds of acts entertaining the crowds as they made their way slowly past.
Many local organizations were represented, including the Girl Guides, Quesnel Youth Soccer Association and Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club, whose members showed off some impressive tumbling skills. Other characters seen aboard floats and trucks were Smokey the Bear, bigfoot and a tyrannosaurus rex, as well as some lively looking vegetebles on the Long Table Grocery float. Billy Barker himself was even seen strolling by.
Bringing up the rear was the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department’s trucks, which received a good dousing from firefighters manning the hoses at the fire hall.
Check out our slideshow below, and pick up a copy of the Observer on Wednesday July 25 for more parade photos.
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editor@quesnelobserver.com
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