“It was a hell of a parade,” said 2022 Williams Lake Stampede Parade organizer Willie Dye.
The Williams Lake Stampede Parade returned to downtown for 2022 with glorious sunshine, despite the forecast.
After a week of unsettled weather, the sun shone down on a large crowd lining the sidewalks along the parade route.
Dye’s first time organizing the event, which had an estimated 80 entries, was made extra challenging after being on pause for two years due to the pandemic, but he credits his fellow volunteers with making it all come together in the end.
“I don’t know that I could have done it without the Daybreak Rotary Club,” acknowledged Dye, naming the Community Policing group as another big volunteer support, though there were many individuals who helped out as well, he said. He also admitted he learned a lot this year, including how he needs to delegate some tasks and have more things ready before Saturday morning so he can optimize his volunteers’ time.
The other lesson learned was he will have to police “candy-seekers” more closely, as there were some concerns of children running out into the road.
“If you did not do a better job of controlling this candy issue, one day you will find there will not be any more parades,” he explained.
Challenges in finding insurance for the event means they have to be very cognizant of any hazards to children.
As well, Dye said the parade is looking for storage for their gear from year to year and he’d like to get a cargo trailer to more easily mobilize and move the gear each year for set up and take down.
When asked if he will be organizing the parade again next year, Dye said he is willing, and he’ll be talking to city council about it.
“If council is happy with me … I think I will.”
Parade Winners:
Mascot/Clown: Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department, first place, Cat in the Hat, second, Williams Lake Volunteer Fire Department, third.
Equine category: Wild West Riders from the Williams Lake Stampede Association, first, Tl’etinqox Government, second, ?Esdilagh First Nation, third.
Float: Hospital Float, first, Cariboo Chevrolet, second, Gibraltar Mines Ltd, third.
Automotive: 58 Chevy Impala by Bruce Schellenburg, first, 37 Dodge by Kevin Boudorn, second, 1990 Mini by Martin Webber, third.
Band: Williams Lake Community Band, first place, Kordoray Music Band, second, Cree-Shu, third.
Youth: Spring House 4H Club, first, Delaineys Lock and Key, second, Canim Valley 4H Club, third.
Read more: OUR HOMETOWN: Arty takes reins on Stampede parade
ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com
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