Summary

The web content describes a serendipitous encounter with the Lumby Days festival in British Columbia, Canada, during the country's 150th birthday year, offering a unique and memorable birthday celebration experience.

Abstract

The author recounts an unexpected cultural celebration experienced during a trip through western Canada in June 2017. While passing through the small village of Lumby, they stumbled upon the annual Lumby Days parade and festival, coinciding with Canada's 150th anniversary. The event featured a variety of festivities, including Scottish pipers, a marching band, local politicians, and a fleet of mini cars from the Gizeh Shriners. The article captures the community's enthusiasm and the diversity of the celebrations, highlighting the joy of discovering local traditions and the charm of small-town festivities. The day concluded with communal gatherings and the enjoyment of regional cuisine, specifically poutine, providing a taste of Canadian culture.

Opinions

The author expresses delight in the serendipitous nature of their experience, emphasizing the joy of unexpected cultural encounters.
There is a sense of admiration for the community's spirit and the scale of the event relative to the small population of Lumby.
The author finds the mini cars operated by the Gizeh Shriners particularly amusing and noteworthy, suggesting a whimsical aspect to the parade.
The article conveys a positive opinion about the inclusivity of the event, with people of all ages participating and enjoying the festivities.
The author seems to appreciate the blend of traditional and contemporary elements in the celebration, such as the Scottish pipers and the promotion of e-waste recycling.
The experience is described as unique and memorable, suggesting that such local events can leave a lasting impression on visitors.
The author's enthusiasm for the poutine indicates a positive culinary experience, reflecting well on the local food offerings at the festival.

Canadian cultural celebrations!

Surprising birthday festivities

Duly kilted and equipped Scottish pipers for a Canadian celebration. © Ron Smit, 2017

This month, the editors have challenged us to think about celebrations. As you get a bit older (like me) you will collect a lot of celebrations — birthdays, weddings, anniversaries (our own is yesterday, 43 years!) and numerous many New Years Eve events in many different places.

But how to find one celebration that would be unique and memorable for you, the reader?

I’ve recently started a series about our trip through western Canada, during June of 2017. The first episode is linked below this story, but one event during that trip qualifies for this month’s challenge.

We’d left the Rocky Mountains and Revelstoke behind, had visited the Shuswap Falls, and were on our way to the B&B that we had reserved in Vernon, in British Columbia.

The location of Lumby, between the Shuswap Falls and Vernon, BC. Source: Google Maps

Our route took us through the village of Lumby where a festive mood was in the air. Unbeknown to us, we had purely coincidentally arrived on the day of an annual parade and festival: the Lumby Days. And we had managed to do it during the year of Canada’s 150th birthday! Serendipity.

We didn’t really know what to expect, but people were already lining the streets and getting settled in to see whatever show was coming. The saying “When in Rome…” also worked in Lumby, so we joined them.

According to Google Maps, Lumby is a small community of 1,731 people. This must be a recent count, I guess there may have been a few less inhabitants in 2017. However, it looked like about 300% of them were out and about, bubbling with anticipation. Elderly people in wheelchairs and small kids in strollers had pride of place on the pavement in front of the Bakery / Deli and the Krazy Llama Bistro, and teenagers were getting their smartphone cameras ready.

Soon enough, we heard the sound of bagpipes and a marching band with Scottish pipers came around the corner. The origins of these musical instruments are debated, and some might think that the words “bagpipe” and “musical” don’t belong in the same sentence. Apparently used by Scottish troops in days gone by, in order to terrify their opponents, they are now loved just about everywhere. Also here in Lumby, British Columbia, Canada.

Royal Canadian Air Cadets proudly marching with Canadian, British Columbia and other provincial flags. No idea who was in the car, and why. But a useful way to carry their banner, anyway. © Ron Smit, 2017

At this point you might think that this parade, this festival day was not so unique. Marching band? Check. Marching cadets with flags? Check.

But not so fast. Let me show you some more.

Local politician throwing sweets to the kids (…and looking like they’ve already eaten too much themselves…) © Ron Smit, 2017

Rather a retro-looking Lumby Volunteer Fire Department truck, with one volunteer who wanted to be very visible, but incognito. © Ron Smit, 2017

There were a range of Fire Department trucks, Search & Rescue trucks, and Rescue Command vehicles in evidence. If there was going to be a fire during the parade, no problem.

Lots of other vehicles, too. Mostly carrying local politicians or the latest “Lions Citizen of the Year”, etc. But also some other vehicles that were indeed … surprising! For instance, a fleet of vehicles from the North Okanagan Mini Car Unit, operated by the Gizeh Shriners, a philantropic organization:

Mini Cars of the North Okanagan Unit. I prefer the one on the extreme right, it must be so very useful to travel everywhere while seated on your cold beer, in case a pit stop is required. © Ron Smit

A middle-aged man in a golf cart, OK. But on those little jobs power by lawnmower engines? How on earth did they get that idea?

Other vehicles and floats were apparently promoting various causes:

Good to see that the Vernon & District Association for Community Living was promoting E-Waste Recycling, but I’m not sure what the lady in the white dress and red hat and the rather shocked-looking lumberjack are supposed to signify. © Ron Smit, 2017

The area’s placer miners appear to be having fun on the back of a fuel delivery truck. From their logo it is clear why they are no longer using donkeys. © Ron Smit, 2017

Not sure about the messaging here… Canada is the Land of Opportunity, and … Remax will sell you some of it? © Ron Smit, 2017

After all the various vehicles had passed through, everybody migrated to a nearby field, where various goodies were on display, for sale, and for consumption.

Queueing on the local showground, for… © Ron Smit, 2017

… **Poutine**! As as you can see from the look on Marina’s face, it tasted great! © Ron Smit

And so ended one of our most unexpected celebrations, certainly unique for us!

Other experiences during our trip through Canada are still being written, with the first episode already available here:

Canadian kaleidoscope

Different views after every turn

medium.com

Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages and Scott-Ryan Abt any other Canadians or North Americans out there, eat your heart out and feel free to send me comments!