PHOTOS: Lots of waves and smiles at Billy Barker Days parade

Ray Collins, 96, waves from his “Ol Red” Mack logging truck. Collins owned one of the first logging companies in Quesnel, and bought “Ol Red” new in 1960 with a self-loading trailer for $23,000. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

“Ol Red” returned to this year’s Billy Barker Days parade with Ray Collins in the passenger seat. The logging truck started its life in Clinton but hauled logs in all corners of B.C. from 1968 to 1980. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Quesnel Billy Barker Days Society member Ron Paull helped sell programs at the parade. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Kordaroy won first place in specialty band. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Classical country/rock band Kordaroy was started by former ?Esdilagh First Nation chief Roy Stump (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

There were lots of smiles and waves at this year’s Billy Barker Days parade. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

2022 Ambassadors Jada Crossman (left) and Nevaeh Kueber. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Among those attending the Billy Barker Days parade were RCMP members. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Several classic cars participated in the Billy Barker Days parade. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Children with Lhtako Dené Nation share some waves. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

This year’s honorary parade marshals were Edna Parks and Esther Blaylock. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

Firefighters sprayed hoses high in the air in a designated “wet zone.” (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

The Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club took part in the 46th annual Billy Barker Days parade. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

West Fraser won first place for commercial float Billy Barker era. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Observer)

The Billy Barker Days parade wound its way through downtown Quesnel attracting people of all ages to watch the lively procession of floats, classic vehicles, and more on Saturday, July 16.

Waving from the procession was 96-year-old Ray Collins of Quesnel, who stepped out of a long-term care home into the passenger seat of a vintage logging truck named “Ol Red.”

Collins purchased the new Mack truck in 1960 with a self-loading trailer for $23,000.

The truck started its life in Clinton but hauled logs in all corners of B.C. from 1968 to 1980 and was awarded the Mack Million Mile Award in 1975.

It has been parked in a covered shop since 1980 with a few visits to the parade.

Ol’Red was driven in the parade by Dan Watts, who learned how to drive logging trucks from Collins, who retired from logging at the age of 70.

“He (Ray) has a little twinkle in his eye when we talk about it, and even the staff—he lives at Redwood—they’re all excited about the truck and Ray going in the parade,” daughter-in-law Kit Collins said before the parade.

Some other participants in this year’s Billy Barker Days parade included the Prince George Bagpipe Band, the Prospectors Car Club, the Lhtako Dené Nation, and the Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club.

Read More: 2021 Billy Barker Days cancelled

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com

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Parade Quesnel