Just two hours after wrapping up her first stint organizing the Island Farms Victoria Day Parade, Kelly Kurta had one word for how she was feeling.
“Tired,” she said. But the good news was that it all went off without an apparent hitch.
“It was fabulous, it was really good. We even finished earlier than expected,” she said.
Kurta stepped in as organizer of Victoria’s parades last fall after the death of Ron Butlin, 89, general manager of the Greater Victoria Festival Society. Butlin had overseen the Victoria Day and Christmas parades for 21 years.
In tribute to Butlin, Kurta and the festival committee organized a flypast by a Sea King helicopter from 443 Squadron. It was a highlight of the day.
“That flyby for Ron brought us to tears,” she said.
Thousands turned out along Douglas Street to watch 112 general entries and 16 military entries.
Victoria police acting Staff Sgt. Paul Brookes said police are extra vigilant at public gatherings such as parades, given past incidents such as the alleged plot to bomb the B.C. legislature on Canada Day 2013.
This was a peaceful parade, Brookes said. “The parade was well-attended and the crowds were happy and well-behaved.”
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Victoria Day Parade, category winners
American bands: Shorecrest High School Highlander
Canadian bands: Spectrum High School
Judges award: Lambrick Park Secondary
American drill team: Shorecrest High School
Canadian drill team: Reynolds High School
Drum major: Chief Sealth High School
Floats, commercial: Country Grocer
Floats, community: Mustard Seed Food Bank
Cars, decorated commercial: Dodds Furniture
Cars, decorated community: Francophone Society
Cars, antique: Western Command Military
Cars, racing: Victoria Auto Racing
Performing acts: Westshore Rebels
Walking groups: Puppets for Peace