STEPHEN RICCIO
SAND BAY Aug. 1, 2020
Sand Bay held their annual fun day on Aug. 1, drawing a large turnout as organizers and residents adapted to COVID-19 limitations to continue the local tradition.
The event kicked off at 1 p.m. with a . . .
social distanced parade in which residents bought their decorated vehicles and paraded around the cozy community.
The parade itself drew a bigger turnout than expected. Jackie McBane, one of the organizers, was blown away by the numbers.
“We didn’t expect it to be near as awesome as what it was, we were expecting a few cottagers to do something and the turnout that we had was just absolutely unbelievable, it was amazing,” McBane said.
The parade was a new introduction to the fun day lineup, as there had to be adjustments to make up for the coronavirus.
“I feel this is the first of many parades that we will be holding during our regatta weekend, 100 per cent,” McBane said.
McBane was one of four volunteer organizers of the event, working alongside Monica Dodson, Barbara Shoobert and Susan Thomson. The event has been a staple in Sand Bay since the 1940s, as it originally began as a fundraiser for the war effort.
Shoobert said that her father was present for one of the first parades during the 40s.
“There’s always been a Sand Bay day whether it’s been a regatta or foot races or something along those lines,” she explained. “COVID-19 of course has forced us to change that this year, so we’re doing a socially distanced parade.”
Shoobert referenced a sign that was on a nearby decorated vehicle, which read “Stand together but six feet apart.
Speaking with The Equity before the parade began, Shoobert explained that the children’s scavenger hunt, virtual amazing race, sandcastle building and fireworks had all been approved by the municipality.
The fun day also included several awards that were judged based on the parade, including: best decorated motorized vehicle, best decorated family group, most original and best decorated bike (boys and girls).
With files from Emily Hsueh
