FORT ST. JOHN -- Canada Day festivities were in full swing in Fort St. John over the weekend.
Thousands of attendees lined the streets for the annual parade that spanned 98th to 100th Street using 102nd Avenue on July 1st.
The parade ended at Centennial Park where celebrations continued with the ‘Classic Cruiser Car Show and Shine’, a host of family-friendly activities, food vendors, and live music.
During an opening ceremony, Mayor Lilia Hansen awarded ribbons for the best parade floats with the North Peace Fil-Can Society taking the top prize, followed by AGM Trucking, and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple.
“The parade wouldn’t happen without you-- our community groups, businesses, and organizations dedicating your time to prepare all those incredible floats,” said Hansen.
Other activities at Monday’s celebration included bounce castles, mini golf, face painting, henna tattoos, balloon artists, and a farmer's market.
There were also performances by the Northern Winds Community Band, Tantrum, Darion Wray and the Other Fellas, Dirt N’ Diesel, the Sweetwater Band, and a singing of O’Canada by the Doig River Drummers.
Earlier in the day, the Fort St. John Fire Department held a pancake breakfast and tours with members of the community.
Participants had the opportunity to meet with city councillors, MLA Dan Davies, and Peace River North candidate Jordan Kealy who were all in attendance at this year’s festivities.
There were no fireworks this year due to restrictions in place by the BC Wildfire Service.
Category 2 and Category 3 open burn bans have been in place in the Prince George Fire Centre since March 28, 2024.
The ban prohibits burning barrels, burning cages, fireworks, fire crackers, sky lanterns.
