It was unseasonably cold and rainy in Kitimat on July 1, 2011, as the Royal Canadian Legion lead the Canada Day Parade.

 

 

The firefighters follow the Legion in the parade, not only because it is a place of honour, but in case there is an urgent call, the front of the parade makes for an easy exit in an emergency. On this day there was an emergency call. The parade stops at an intersection first to allow a standby pumper, normally used to fight brush fires, to come from the station to get to the scene (which was close to the parade route in this case)  while the firefighters in the parade change assigned vehicles so the lead pumper can also proceed to the call.

One of the highlights of the parade was the first appearance in years of the Kitimat Fire Department’s first brush fire fighting vehicle, an original Willys jeep, driven by firefighter Dave Ingram.  The jeep restoration was sponsored by the Kitimat Museum and Archives with the support of the District of Kitimat and members of the community.

The museum also sponsors a summer program for kids.

The Kitimat Marine Rescue Society, Unit 63 of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary-Pacific, uses Snowflake Responder for search and rescue missions along Douglas Channel.

Kitimat mayor Joanne Monaghan.

Kitimat residents are used to pouring rain, so there were still lots of people along the parade route. (although the cool, wet June, now edging into July is a bit unusual).

Watching the spectators from inside a nice, dry car.

The environmental group, Douglas Channel Watch, took the prize for the best overall float in the 2011 parade.

A dog enjoys the view from the pickup truck hauling the Douglas Channel Watch float.