120th parade goes online, with tribute to Humboldt

The Island Farms Victoria Day Parade, one of Canada’s oldest, marks its 120th year Monday.

As always, the parade starts at 9 a.m. at Mayfair Shopping Centre and heads down Douglas Street to Humboldt Street, where it disperses. Running time is estimated at three hours.

Thousands of people will line Douglas to watch the floats and bands go by. But if you can’t be there, you can watch online at victoriabuzz.com thanks to a new partnership with the parade organizer, the Greater Victoria Festival Society. CHEK TV will also broadcast the parade.

The parade will be a little more compact this year than last, with 95 entries, said spokeswoman Kelly Kurta, during a break from the constant flow of emails and that comes with organizing the event. “We cut it a bit this year,” she said. “There’s 95 plus the military, so you’ve still got over 100.”

The military contribution will include a Sea King helicopter flypast and an appearance by a pair of F-18 jets. The F-18s will really make their presence known, Kurta said, so parade watchers might want to consider ear plugs.

“They’re going to be loud, they’re going to be flying at 500 feet, but it’s going to be fantastic.”

Most important is the cause the parade is dedicated to this year, Kurta said. “This year we’re honouring athletes, coaches and parents all over the world in support of #HumboldtStrong,” she said. “We sent a message over to Humboldt and let them know, as well.”

#HumboldtStrong recognizes the 16 people killed and

13 injured in the April 6 collision between a transport truck and a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos, a junior hockey team in Saskatchewan.

Victoria Buzz and Roll.Focus. Productions are teaming up to show the parade online.

Kurta said working with Roll.Focus. and Victoria Buzz started with the two companies combining on livestreaming the Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade.

The parade will be streamed at victoriabuzz.com from a broadcast stage at Douglas Street and Cormorant Street.

Mike Kelly of Victoria Buzz said his company will handle the hosting while Roll.Focus. will look after the video using multiple high-definition cameras.

He said former CHEK personalities Gordie Tupper and Dana Hutchings will host, along with Chris Loran from 100.3 the Q and Nicole Bentham, Victoria Buzz’s sales and marketing co-ordinator.

Meanwhile, CHEK TV will mark the 61st anniversary of its parade broadcasts on Monday, with coverage headquartered at Douglas Street and Summit Street. Stacy Ross, Ed Bain and Jeff King are hosting.

CHEK’s show will also be streamed on the station’s Facebook page, and will be repeated on television May 27 at 2 p.m.

Also on Monday, Centennial Square will become Celebration Square from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with food trucks and family activities. The Esquimalt Lions will serve breakfast at 8 a.m.

Douglas from Tolmie to Belleville streets will be closed to all traffic while the parade is underway.