May Day Parade returns

After a one-year absence, the Prince George Elks Lodge 122 annual May Day parade is back.

The decision to put on the 86th annual parade was made in December, said spokesperson Nanci Krushelnicki on Thursday. Interest in having the parade is picking up, she said, after it had waned in recent years eventually forcing the cancellation of last year’s event.

The group has heard from a number of people interested in putting in floats with this year’s parade, including the British Motorcycle Club that is entering three floats with classic cars on them. As the excitement and momentum builds in the weeks towards the May 9, Mother’s Day weekend parade date, Krushelnicki says she expects many more newcomers to come on board with exciting new floats.

The real impetus for getting the float back on track is this year Prince George celebrates its 100th anniversary.

“We didn’t want to miss out on such an important event (as the centennial),” she said. “We wanted this year’s parade to be part of the fun. This year we expect to have about 30 to 40 floats and we’re hoping the participants will want to be in costumes representing the various eras (pioneers to modern.) Spectators can dress up too, and children can decorate their bikes for the parade.”

Yes, rock ‘n’ roll 50s fans are welcome to come and watch the parade in their poodle skirts or slicked back hair, she said.

The parade route will be posted online. In the meantime, the May Day parade committee is looking for a few more volunteers. Last year’s parade plans were abandoned due to what Lawrie Meier, past president of the local (Lodge 122,) called “a lack of interest” and support from groups including marching bands, merchants and entries for the May Queen from local schools.

“We have a volunteer team assembled but we could still use three or four people who can help judge the floats and also hand out candy as the parade passes by.”

Anyone interested in volunteering their time can call Earl Krushelnicki at 250-964-3321. Dawn Crawford is in charge of registering floats.