Awash in fun
Tyne Valley Oyster Festival Parade floods downtown area with a wave of support from spectators perched under umbrellas
Floats popping with loud colours and ornate, intricate decorations and patterns, flooded the downtown area of Tyne Valley on Saturday morning in front of a sea of spectators perched under their umbrellas while avoiding the downpour of rain. Lisa Arsenault and Etta MacKendrick said a little rain doesn’t bother them when it comes to showing their support for the 55th Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, which is a major fundraiser for the community. “I enjoy coming to the parade to see my friends and family. It’s always a great atmosphere, even in the rain. I’ve been coming here as long as I can remember,” chimed Arsenault, from Charlottetown, who acknowledged she would continue the fun after the parade with Rock the Boat. Under the cover of her umbrella, Etta MacKendrick noted that she was anticipating the “spectacular theme” by Leslie Hardy and Sons Ltd.
MacKendrick, however, had to hold her breathe until two minutes before the end of the one hour parade this year to find out what the Hardy family had on display — zombies, a hearse decorated in oyster shells pulling a coffin, and one giant shark. “It was lot of work because we have more than 20 characters, but we’re always oyster themed for each parade,” noted Janet Hardy Callaghan, one of the key co-ordinators behind the annual entry. “This theme is called The Shucking Dead, and it’s based on the television show The Walking Dead with a twist,” she explained. “We’ve been participating in the parade for more than 16 years, and next year we already have an idea for a theme. We’re always ahead of ourselves.” Hardy noted that the parade is a great way to get the large family comprised of children and grandchildren of Leslie and Shirley Hardy together, the owners of the East Bideford business. “There’s a huge show of support here every year, and to see people watching us while in character is fun. People try to make us laugh while we are zombies, but we keep in character the whole time.” There were twice as many community floats in comparison to last year, which rolled through the downtown area to the marching beat of the Correctional Service of Canada Community Pipes and Drums band, along with P.E.I. singers and musicians, and traditional Mi’Kmaq dancers.