From colourful parade floats to fireworks and music in the park, Riverboat Days was in full swing over the long weekend.
Opening ceremonies on Aug. 3 kicked off the 10-days of events, where the festival’s Captain and Queen Bob Park and Clara Dalfouco made their debut.
The Skeena Salmon Art Festival opening drew the Terrace Art Gallery’s largest crowd ever to the facility, organizers said. The festival showcases pieces from across northern B.C. and internationally throughout the month. There is also a live-mural painting ongoing at the Stantec building from now until the end of Riverboat Days.
On Friday, the Terrace and Skeena Valley Rotary Clubs hosted their kick-off event at the Terrace Curling Rink to raise money for the Starfish Pack program, an initiative that provides food over the weekend for students in local schools. The program is scheduled to start in the new school year in September.
On Saturday, thousands lined Lakelse Avenue for the annual Riverboat Days Legion Parade, where more than 50 entries floated down the route this year. Afterwards, spectators and participants gathered at Terrace Legion Branch 13 for a family barbecue and results presentation, where the best overall float was awarded to the Terrace Portuguese community. Parade chair Joyce Bradley said she expects to see a similar turnout to last year’s 13,000 people when a count is done.
READ MORE: Crowds enjoy 2018 Riverboat Days parade in Terrace
Platinum Blonde fans were out of luck at Concerts in the Park Saturday night after the band’s flight was grounded in Vancouver due to mechanical issues. Instead, the Yukon’s Speed Control played an extra set, and Kitimat’s The Rats stepped in to finish off the night with a set-list ranging from classic rock n’ roll covers to current top Billboard hits.
“I don’t think we lost anyone out of the park for that evening on Saturday night,” said Riverboat Days president Susan Bostock.
Spectators then gathered at Ferry Island to watch a fireworks extravaganza overlooking the Skeena River to finish off the evening.
The Terrace Volunteer Youth Corps hosted its first Soapbox Derby fundraiser on Sunday, which raised approximately $7,000 for future youth programs.
READ MORE: First YVC Soapbox Derby raises more than $5,000 for youth
The Wild Duck Race was also sold out this year, with 3,500 ducks released into the west channel of the Skeena River. The race raised more than $40,000 for future Rotary community programs, with Terrace’s Denise Tupman winning the $25,000 cash prize.
READ MORE: Sold out Wild Duck Race raises more than $40,000 for Rotary
Other events included tasty pancake breakfasts, horse shows, a skateboarding competition, and drag races on the speedway track. Regardless of the venue, Terrace was buzzing all weekend.
And there’s more in store for this week. The Terrace and District Arts Council’s Summer Art Festival is underway with lots of workshops happening at Heritage Park, the Skeena Valley Country Music Festival will be filling the Thornhill Community Centre with some toe-tapping music, and the Terrace Downtown Street Fair Medley will showcase local musicians, children’s art activities and performances from cultural groups this Saturday.
Dozens more events are listed online at www.riverboatdays.ca.
brittany@terracestandard.com
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