Barefoot and clad in their sacred red robes, the troupe known as the Order of Pi slink along single file, zigging and zagging with a lust for the type of sillyness that makes John Cleese smile.
Their entry to Saanich municipal hall Friday was right out of a Monty Python skit.
They are the not-so-secret society of UVic engineering students who gather to fundraise for the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. And they make a habit out of smushing pie into the face of local celebrities in the name of children’s health.
READ MORE: Saanich voters send Haynes to mayor’s office
This year’s campaign started with a visit to Saanich municipal hall to charge first-term Mayor Fred Haynes for multiple crimes against humanity.
Among the charges were “speaking British” and flippantly referring to Coun. Judy Brownoff (who sits to his right in council chambers) as “his wingman.”
Hayne’s options were to pay the $105 fine, which grants clemency from the charges, or plead guilty and face scrutiny and punishment in the stocks. Haynes, of course, plead guilty. He was punished to the stocks, where he had a pumpkin pie applied to his face.
Undertaker Downey nearly emptied the tin of whip cream on the pie.
“The real crime is they wouldn’t use apple pie, my favourite,” Haynes said. “They should outlaw the use of pumpkin.”
Haynes said he will open his wallet to contribute $100 to the campaign regardless.
