Over 40 floats and walking groups turned out for the Christmas Parade Nov. 17, one of the busiest days 100 Mile House has in its calendar year.
“Obviously, everyone here is community-minded,” said David Jurek of RE/MAX, who built a float and used tiny train sets to decorate it along with lights.
Jurek and the rest of RE/MAX won the Best Representation of the Theme Commercial for their efforts.
Our Place Preschool and Childcare Center also had a float in the parade for the first time.
“I thought the kids would have a blast doing it,” said Brittany McCausland, owner. “We all contributed to it, the kids were so excited about it it made us excited. It was kind of like Christmas for them.”
McCausland said the preschool will try to do a float yearly, after how much the students enjoyed making it and how supportive the community was of the project.
“I think it’s a big deal for them to see their kids in the parade and being part of the community,” she said.
Our Place’s debut float won the Best Effort by a School trophy.
Other winners were the Bighorn Archery Club (Best Representation of the Theme non-commercial), Denise Little (Best Effort by an individual) and a walking group trophy went to Lone Butte 4-H led by Camryn Brennan, Karli-Rae Ross and their pets, Rogue the Dog and Phoebe the Sheep (best effort by group).
MLA Donna Barnett was Mrs. Claus during the parade, appearing on the last float with Santa Claus himself. The float was decorated as a Cariboo Cabin. Don Wormald was Santa Claus.
Carolers were also hollering holiday tunes outside of the community hall, where food trucks offered viewers hot beverages and food while they watched the parade and the subsequent shopping spree as the parade led into two other major events, Moonlight Madness and Starry Nights.
