In Pictures & Video: Revelstoke celebrates Canada Day 2015
By David F. Rooney Canada Day was hot — 32° Celsius — and happy this year as hundreds of people thronged First Street West and Mackenzie Avenue to watch the parade and then enjoy Canada’s 148th annual birthday party at Queen Elizabeth Park. I took 206 photos of the parade and party and present a selection here for your enjoyment. As well, there are two videos: one of the parade and another, contributed by Josee Zimanyi that shows the amazing cake she and her colleagues baked for the Canada Day Party. The cake blends culinary skill and electric train technology. You have to see it to believe it! Here you go:
Members of Revelstoke’s RCMP detachment demonstrate their fortitude by marching in the 32° heat wearing red serge. David F. Rooney photo While some of the members marched, kids rode in the boat they use on the river. David F. Rooney photo Talk about exuberant! City Councillor Connie Brothers was wired as she encouraged the crowd from the back of Peter Bernacki’s automotive pride and joy. That’s Mike Loukopolous riding shotgun beside Peter. David F. Rooney photo This was the Cooper’s float. David F. Rooney photo Three guesses as to who built this float… but I don’t see any of the multitude of children you’d expect in a house made out of a shoe. I guess they’re all inside where it’s cool. David F. Rooney photo Local New Democrats parade behind MLA Norm Macdonald (left) and Wayne Stetski, the former Cranbrook mayor who is running for the party in this autumn’s federal election. David F. Rooney photo Local New Dems proudly march in matching orange T-shirts. David F. Rooney photo The Interior BC Forestry Museum & Discovery Centre used the parade to show off some old tools on their float and to drum up a volunteer or two. David F. Rooney photo They have some amazing antique logging tools at the Forestry Museum. David F. Rooney photo As usual, there was candy for the kids along the parade route. David F. Rooney photo A parade just isn’t a parade without the Shriners in their mini-cars. David F. Rooney photo These guys were the Saber Marching Band from Edmonton. David F. Rooney photo The Multicultural Society was out in force for the parade! David F. Rooney photo
Members of the local fire crew were prepared to spray you down. David F. Rooney photo There were some great costumes in this parade. David F. Rooney photo The Safe Spaces Society was a large contingent promoting tolerance and acceptance. Participation in the parade was a big deal for this new society. David F. Rooney photo Mayor Mark McKee, Councillor Gary Sulz, S school Board Chairman Alan Chell and School District Superintendent Mike Hooker were among the influential people who marched with the Safe Spaces Society. David F. Rooney photo Colby Morin, who ran the sound system for the Safe Spaces parade entry, snapped a few candid shots with this cell phone, including this image of Safe Spaces Society Chairman Martin Ralph. “Several people in the group captioned this picture “Rainbow Warrior” because they said I looked so proud and strong and happy, which I was, of course,” Martin told The Current. “I am so pleased and incredibly proud of this first outing ventured by the Safe Spaces Society, and all of our friends, family, allies and many supporters! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to walk, and much thanks to all those who helped to make the parade event a great success and so much fun for everyone! Even the crowds watching the parade got into the fun and danced to our music with cheers of support! Such a wonderful thing to see the community of Revelstoke supporting Safe Spaces Revelstoke, and the LGBTQ2S community at large! “Special thanks to Mayor Mark McKee and Councilor Gary Sulz who walked and danced with our group! And to Alan Chell and Mike Hooker from the School District for joining us as well! I know they all had a great time out there!” Colby Morin photo Parks Canada brought out their mascot for the parade, I wonder how he or she fared inside that suit? David F. Rooney photo And finally, as always, the brave men and women of our city’s Fire Rescue Service and BC Ambulance Service brought up the rear of the parade. David F. Rooney photo As usual, the annual Canada Day Birthday Party at Queen Elizabeth Park was a happy, albeit very hot, event. Everyone gravitated towards the shade cast by the park’s beautiful trees. Click on the image to see it at full size. David F. Rooney photo Check out the crowd! This human crush was caused by all the people who wanted to see the amazing cake produced by the ladies at The Modern Bakery. Josee Zimanyi and her friends built a cake that incorporated a working electric train. Click on the video below to see it in action! David F. Rooney photo
The cake was not just an amazing blend of culinary skill and electrical technology. It was edible, too! Mayor Mark McKee, Staff Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky, MLA Norm Macdonald and federal NDP Candidate Wayne Stetski served up slices of cake for the hungry hordes. David F. Rooney photo Josee Zimanyi (second from the left) and her friends produced this amazing cake. Photo courtesy of Josee Zimanyi Dan Sculnick & Drew Payne provided some great music at QE Park. David F. Rooney photo While their parents went for the shade many of the kids frolicked and cooled off with the water toys provided by Team Gloria. David F. Rooney photo Slippin’ and slidin’ was great fun for the really little kids. David F. Rooney photo The older kids, meanwhile gravitated towards the dunk tank and an opportunity to try and dump someone into the tank with just the right toss of ball. David F. Rooney photo Burgers anyone? Team Gloria had some of what you wanted to eat. David F. Rooney photo Meanwhile, the Rotary Club had the beverages that helped cool you off. David F. Rooney photo If your kids had energy to burn you could always encourage them to jump their way to the finish line in the traditional potato sack race. David F. Rooney photo Look at that little girl fly! David F. Rooney photo Many adults, though, had a very different take on a traditional Canada Day sport — Bocce! David F. Rooney photo It took an hour but by about 2 pm that amazing cake was pretty well… gone. Happy Canada Day! David F. Rooney photo
