Cool, dry night on Nov. 24 brings out happy crowd for Lake Cowichan Christmas parade

The Grinch joins Santa on the Country Grocer float in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)The Grinch joins Santa on the Country Grocer float in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
A cheery wave and a brightly decorated ATV reflect the atmosphere of the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)A cheery wave and a brightly decorated ATV reflect the atmosphere of the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Members of the ATV Club turn out in force for the Lake Cowichan Xmas Parade Nov. 24. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)Members of the ATV Club turn out in force for the Lake Cowichan Xmas Parade Nov. 24. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
The Grinch joins Santa Claus on the Country Grocer float in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade Nov. 24. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)The Grinch joins Santa Claus on the Country Grocer float in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade Nov. 24. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Lake Cowichan’s Christmas parade includes Santa Claus to delight all the families lining the town streets. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)Lake Cowichan’s Christmas parade includes Santa Claus to delight all the families lining the town streets. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Cowichan Lake area fire departments are all out for the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade.Cowichan Lake area fire departments are all out for the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade.
Children wave to the crowd from the Cowichan Lake Recreation float during the Christmas kick-off parade at Lake Cowichan last weekend. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Children wave to the crowd from the Cowichan Lake Recreation float during the Christmas kick-off parade at Lake Cowichan last weekend. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
There are plenty of decorated floats in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)There are plenty of decorated floats in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Youbou is holding a New Year’s Eve dance and this float invited everyone to come on along for a fun night.Youbou is holding a New Year’s Eve dance and this float invited everyone to come on along for a fun night.
Members of the Kaatza Lakeside Players tell the crowd about their upcoming show.Members of the Kaatza Lakeside Players tell the crowd about their upcoming show.
Green Party representatives march in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)Green Party representatives march in the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
The chamber of commerce and the 75th anniversary celebration share a float in the parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)The chamber of commerce and the 75th anniversary celebration share a float in the parade. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Bright lights add to the colour of this ATV from the Cowichan Valley Club.Bright lights add to the colour of this ATV from the Cowichan Valley Club.
The Cowichan Valley ATV Club joins the fun at the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade.The Cowichan Valley ATV Club joins the fun at the Lake Cowichan Xmas parade.

A large contingent from the Cowichan ATV Club joined many Cowichan Lake area floats and fire trucks for the annual Christmas parade on Sunday, Nov. 24.

There had been a huge sigh of relief among parade organizers and participants, not to mention the audience, when Saturday’s rainclouds rolled away and Sunday was a bright, dry day.

Santa Claus rode on the Country Grocer float, this year accompanied by The Grinch, and they delighted the many children waiting by the side of the road, some of them almost jumping up and down in their excitment to see the parade.

Floats invited everyone to enjoy Winter Wonderland at the arena just before Christmas and to come out New Year’s Eve and dance the night away at Youbou Hall.

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