Day 17 – Canada Days, Dawson Style

 We enjoyed Canada Day much more the way it is celebrated in Dawson than when we were in the Vancouver area years ago. The downpour of the previous night wet the dirt and kept the dust down for the parade goers. A Saturday Public Market in the morning could have been a public market in downtown Olympia with fresh vegetables, jellies, beaded jewelry, and homemade soaps. However, you probably don’t find too many hand-carved caribou or moose antler items in Olympia.

Just after noon, the parade started with fire engine sirens blaring. The local Canadian Mounties led the parade in their striking uniforms. They were followed by kids on bikes proudly sporting face paint and red balloons. A group of vintage cars rolled by with honks and waves. A dogsled team raced by. To get a photo of the dogs, I had to get ahead of them while their musher stopped them to get the dogs some water. 

As soon as he let off the brake, those dogs took off with big ole’ smiles on their faces because they LOVE to run! It was a hard act to follow, but a group of Dawsonites in historical dress came next and the fire and rescue vehicles brought up the end of the parade, as it worked its way to the city ballpark.

 

After the parade and speeches by local officials, there were festivities at the park in the form of free food - hot dogs, lemonade, strawberry floats, and cupcakes - while a local band played. The music was great, but it is hard to describe their genre… it was kind of country folk bluegrass, complete with their dog who would wander around on the stage. Obviously, it was a great time for the kids who got to play in a couple bouncy houses or have their face painted. Then the fire crews set up a slip-n-slide with their firehose and some real fun began!

Later in the afternoon, Pat and I washed down the sweet treats with a couple pints of Yukon Gold beer. Shortly after we arrived, an old guy came in and sat down at the piano. Pretty soon his fingers were dancing across the keys while he sang requested songs. Then someone rang the bell… the bartender asked us if we wanted a free beer?  …is that a trick question?

It was a great day and it reminded me why I like small towns. There were several people we had met in the two days we’d been in Dawson who we recognized. They either stopped to chat or smiled and waved as we passed.  You just don’t get that in big cities.