Tiny but mighty, the Likely May Day parade delighted viewers Saturday, May 20 as the community’s weekend activities got underway officially.
Likely Street was lined with hundreds of spectators who watched as the parade departed from the bridge, led by a Likely Volunteer Fire and Rescue vehicle and proceeded past them.
Judges Ron Zalinko, Virginia Lubensky and Jill Kurki had the pleasure of greeting everyone who participated in the parade as they arrived and registered.
After the parade was finished, Cariboo Regional District (CRD)Area F director Maureen LeBourdais and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes announced the winners and handed out the awards.
Adult categories: historical/classical; Jeff Biggs, commercial: Morehead Campground, first, CRD, second, comedy: Marie Hampton and her miniature horses, first, most unique/most effort, Likely Lodge, first, Sports; Camp Likely, first. Children’s categories: Historical/Classic, Likely Chapel, first, Makenna and Karsyn, second, comedy: Potters, bicycle, Blake, Most Unique/Most Effort, Brianna Gainer, first, Payton, second, Sports, Sassy Cats, first.
Once the parade awards were presented, there were some races for the children. First up were several different rounds of potato sack races depending on the ages of the competitors.
Second up was a race involving buckets of water. Once a large bucket of water was full it was transported to the finish line and emptied on one of the parents standing there.
On Saturday evening there was a dance at the hall and a barbecue on Sunday and Monday, sponsored by Likely Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
A fishing derby for Lake trout was also on all weekend at Quesnel Lake.
Adult winners: Elia Heta, 21.8 pounds, Ed Stoelwinder 10.2 pounds, Ryan Tardiff 9.95 pounds, and Ron Robinson, 8.97 pounds. Children winners: Jenner MacNaughton, 8.62 pounds, Brady Spurn 7.99 pounds, Connor Daily, 7.80 pounds and Tallon Bremner, 6.76 pounds.
Community events planner Allison Gainer thanked all the volunteers who helped over the weekend at the fish derby, dance, parade and children’s races and the community for participating.
“Thank you to the Likely Lodge for the adult races - a Likely tradition dating back to Bruce Deacon-Hilton,” Gainer said.
She also thanked Mount Polley Mine and their suppliers for the derby prizes and derby, and sponsoring the dance along with the Likely and District Chamber of Commerce. Allison and Wesley Gainer spearheaded the derby.
READ MORE: Quesnel Lake fishing derby, Likely parade part of May long weekend festivities
