Victoria Gill
Contributor
Live through the day…. Update as of 6 p.m.
Thousands made their way to Rotary Stadium to take part in the Canada Day festivities in Abbotsford.
The fire crew from the parade came out to the park and set up games for the children, including a mini obstacle course, as well as the opportunity for kids to take a seat in a fire truck. Joel Neufeld, the newest recruit, said it was an awesome to be part of the event, and he liked how it brought the community together.
I found them to be a great group of guys and it was easy to tell that the firefighters were more than happy to do just about anything to bring smiles to the faces of the crowd.
The slip-and-slide activity seemed to be the favourite activity of the day, according to Carson Goertz and his group of cousins aged six to 13.
Everyone was in a great mood despite the tropical temperature. Jason and Niki Chick brought their one- and three-year-old sons. who said laughing that they only came for the mini-doughnuts! When I caught up with them they were already indulging, and the one-year-old had quite the moves as he was grooving to the stage music while waving a Canadian flag.
Baby Tobias was in sandbox heaven as he was surrounded by dump trucks and other toys. His parents, Jeremy and Chantel Peterson, said their youngster really enjoyed painting his Prospera piggybank, and were extremely pleased with the family-friendly vibe they experienced all day.
Volunteers Dave Bodmer and Riley Service agreed it felt good to come out and give back to the community. Bodmer added it was a beautiful day to be outside and found the bands to be outstanding, and also noted he thought it was wonderful to see Washington’s football band show their support by being a part of our nation’s birthday.
It was hot out, but well worth it to see the community come together. I really enjoyed getting to know some great families and awesome kids. The fun isn’t over yet, so make your way down as more entertainment is on the way:
6 p.m. John Welsh
7:10 p.m. Bed of Stars
7:55 p.m. YUCA
8:45 p.m. Beach Dance Party
10 p.m. O Canada & Fireworks
Earlier today:
Thousands of people, many who were proudly wearing red and white, lined the route for the Prospera Credit Union Canada Day Parade in Abbotsford on Tuesday.
This year’s parade was filled with a mixture of marching bands, colourful floats and representative groups from many countries.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the procession led from South Fraser Way and Ware Street to Trethewey . The parade grandstand was positioned on South Fraser Way between Bourquin and Gladwin.
One-and-a-half-year-old Sabrina Stirling, sporting a red Canada hat stood beside a couple of beach balls waiting for their float to roll through the parade as she enthusiastically waved her miniature flag. She was perhaps too young to fully recognize the significance of the celebration – the nation’s 147th birthday – but she aptly represented the spirit of the crowd.
One-year-old Abigail enjoyed her first parade alongside her parents, Cam and Kelly Mazurak, who said Abigail’s fave part was the horses, as she was neighing in excitement when they passed. Cam remarked, “Everyone had fun and we found shade!”
The public is invited to participate in day-long celebrations that will continue at Rotary Stadium.
The family festivities will run from 1-10 p.m. at Exhibition Park, 32444 Haida Dr., and will include a play zone, international food fair, community displays, main-stage entertainment, hay-rides, face painting, a photo booth, mini golf and an artisans market.
In addition, the festival will see a huge beach dance party hosted by SONiC Radio at 8:45 p.m. so you can get your groove on with your friends until the fireworks get underway.
The full Canada Day entertainment schedule:
2:10 p.m. The Tourist Company
3:45 p.m. Emma Alves
6 p.m. John Welsh
7:10 p.m. Bed of Stars
7:55 p.m. YUCA
8:45 p.m. Beach Dance Party
10 p.m. O Canada & Fireworks
For more information and map, visit abbotsford.ca
More more photos visit abbynews at flickr.com
