Billy Barker Days Parade captivated Quesnel

Young cowboys at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Cat In The Hat was on a parade crusade, during the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
BC Ambassador candidate Hailey Murray was chauffeured through the the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel's youth ambassadors Avery Cassidy and Jamie-Lynn Fedoruk (L to R) were the royalty of the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Two participants in Quesnel's ambassador program at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Two of Quesnel's ambassador leadership participants at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Quesnel Antique Museum had an eye-catching float at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
This truck was fashioned out of two electric wheelchairs at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
There's no parade without horses. The Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club rode in the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Some cowgirls from the Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
An A&W Root Beer Bear throwback at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
One of the vintage tractors at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
One of the vintage tractors at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
O ne of the vintage tractors at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Hey folks, catch up, this canine passenger seems to be saying at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Hats, chaps, doggies...that's everything needed to enjoy the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Active Rent-All had the machines on display in the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Who can get away from the Cariboo Escape experience, so arresting at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Every child matters, a message the Lhtako Dene Nation could convey at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel Fire Rescue Department and other emergency services friends let the lights and sirens be seen at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
It was a bubbly time for Gold Pan City Dance at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Just two of many active young artistic athletes representing Gold Pan City Dance at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Granville Coffee got cute and cuddly, as well as vintage, for the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Horse and wagon history came to life at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Regional District director John Massier dressed the part at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Justice for Sandra Boyd was part of the social messaging mixed with fun by the Lhtako Dene Nation at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Lhtako Dene Nation had one of the biggest floats at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Every cowgirl wants to show her unicorn. This was the smallest at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The wardrobe of Quesnel's industrial past was often accessorized by a shovel, as demonstrated at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
This Model A Ford was one of many classic cars at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Prospectors Car Club pin-up princesses waved from their stylish ride at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Quesnel Community Arts Council celebrated their 50-year anniversary at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
A Mountie in red serge got rockstar responses at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Representatives of the Cariboo Regional District waved to the crowds at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Cowboy mayor Ron Paull did his part selling programs at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel Search & Rescue volunteers of all sizes enjoyed the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel's Sihk community enjoyed the float ride at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel's Sihk community enjoyed the float ride at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Auto racing is a huge part of the weekend culture every year at Billy Barker Days, and the parade is a great way to show some of those exciting cars up close. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
This cowboy is one talllllll drink of water at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
This woman had the best view at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
This woman had the best view at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel's Ukrainian community was celebrated at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel's Ukrainian community was celebrated at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Quesnel's Ukrainian community was celebrated at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Perhaps the most important float in any parade, and the Billy Barker Days procession is no different, is the pooper-scooper team that follows the horses. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
It's tradition that every Billy Barker Days Parade end with the ceremonial sweeping of the streets. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Cat in the Hat kept coming back at the Billy Barker Days parade in downtown Quesnel, July 15. (Frank Peebles photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

The Billy Barker Days Parade was a huge hit with residents who lined the streets to watch, and all the eager participants who entered the long procession.

The wildfire smoke was a factor in visibility but not in enthusiasm. The sounds and colours were still vibrant for the large crowds who came out to enjoy. The most exiting part was hearing all the discussions about how much bigger it was in the past, and the sparks it created to get back to that level again.

Enjoy this montage of photos by Frank Peebles, and remember, Sunday is another day of Billy Baker Days events, with a pancake breakfast at the Legion starting at 8 a.m., the downtown street mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the midway and music (plus so much more) at LeBourdais Park, the pickleball tournament on at West Fraser Timber Park, and the rodeo finale from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the rodeo arena.

ParadeQuesnel

Previous story
UPDATE: No evidence decriminalization has led to increase in public drug use: B.C. addictions minister
Next story
EVACUATION ORDER: Anahim Peak wildfire area in the West Chilcotin

Just Posted

An after photo of the 2021 Claymine Trails Fuel Management Project, which significantly reduced the fire risk to the surrounding homes, the forest ecosystem and the Blue Heron rookery (nesting site), said Erin Robinson, the forestry initiatives manager at the City of Quesnel. (Photo submitted)
Homeowner action needed for fire mitigation

High winds in the Cariboo are expected to increase fire activity and smoke. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo
Extreme winds forecast for Cariboo Fire Centre

The Lemeunier family came from Quebec to go for a bike ride in B.C. - all of B.C. Vanessa, Lucas, Leo and Bertrand (L to R) are seen here on the historic Fraser River Foot Bridge in Quesnel two months into their round trip to Vancouver. (Photo contributed)
Living the wheel family life brought Lemeuniers to Quesnel

Brad Strang shows his banjola, a banjo-ukulele hybrid instrument. When he couldn’t find one on the commercial market, he built this one himself. (YouTube image)
Quesnel DIY musician makes music, instruments, joy