Strike up the band!

Certainly the highlight of Prince Rupert’s annual Seafood Festival is the parade. We joined the eager crowds along 3rd Street, bums on curbs and anticipation running high. It didn’t disappoint. There were enthusiastic marching bands, cadets, flower-bedecked floats, and a wonderful variety of cultural entries, including a crowd-favourite Indigenous representation. Kids lined the streets, absolutely delighted with the treasures tossed their way—not just the traditional penny candy, but key chains, freezies, stickers galore, and all manner of little surprises. Happy faces were everywhere. Next up was the Show ’n Shine in the Safeway parking lot. I waded bravely through a sea of testosterone and eventually managed to drag Dave away from the Alfa Romeo—but only after reminding him that the beer garden was now open. It took a false start or two (or three), plus a couple of weary excursions down the wrong steep hill, but we eventually found the brewery, where we rewarded ourselves with wood-fired pizza and a well-earned beer. Last on the agenda was the bandshell concert in front of City Hall. After another short wander and a brief listen to what could only be described as a painfully valiant musical effort, we decided to call it a day and headed back to the suite. It’s our last night in Prince Rupert. Tomorrow, we set sail across Hecate Strait, arriving in Skidegate in time for dinner. It’s only 93 nautical miles, but those miles cross some of the most unpredictable waters anywhere on the coast. Pass the Gravol, please.