The weather did turn out to be the scorcher that was predicted by Environment Canada for Saturday but as the parade made its way down 9th Avenue the skies became clearer and the procession passed Montrose Park the community began to gather for the Beaver Valley community’s 2014 Family Fun Day.
The day began with a hike up the Antenna Trail giving residents the opportunity to explore some of the trail upgrades and extensions recently added by the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society, followed by the traditional pancake breakfast at the community hall.
The parade featured Montrose Community Service Award recipient, Art Benzer, still looking fresh after completing the Antenna Trail hike, dozens of local children, visiting floats from Fruitvale and Trail, the Canadian Legion, and local sports luminaries including Luke Bertolucci, who won the Memorial Cup with the Edmonton Oil Kings
Throughout the day Trail Little League teams battled it out in the park while residents enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, and drinks from the concession.
As a variety of entertainers provided a musical background, kids enjoyed the water park, face painting, and air brush tattoos and had the chance to work off any excess energy in the bug-shaped inflatable slide, and compete in kid’s races and games like the classic three-legged race and balloon toss.
Later in the day residents gathered at the hall for a hamburger and steak dinner capping off a perfect example of a small community celebration that was truly a Family Day.