Fort Langley celebrates May Day 2016
Thousands of people flocked to Fort Langley for the annual May Day parade and festival
Fort Langley, B.C., celebrated Victoria Day with their 94th annual May Day parade and festival on Monday.
Thousands of onlookers lined the streets of downtown for the parade. They then made their way to Fort Langley Community Park for the crowning of the May Queen and Maypole dancing featuring local students.
Maypole dancing in Fort Langley as part of May Day celebrations <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc">@cbcnewsbc</a> <a href="https://t.co/sKdG6twbKm">pic.twitter.com/sKdG6twbKm</a>
—@CoryCorreiaLong lineups were commonplace for the Lions Club's famous barbecue chicken, while children kept busy with carnival rides and mini golf.
Steeped in history
Fort Langley resident and event organizer Bays Blackhall took part in what she estimates to be her 40th May Day.
She says the festival was first hosted on the Houston family's riverfront property, and then moved to Fort Langley several years later.
Blackhall remembers chanting an old May Day rhyme in her youth, singing, "The 24th of May is the Queen's birthday, if they don't give us a holiday we'll all run away."
Family event
Long-time resident Rachel McIntosh, head of the May Queen committee, said her fond memories of growing up and attending the festival led to her whole family volunteering in the cherished community event.
"We're on the float, and I'm there with the girls, and we're going down the road and so many people are cheering us on," said McIntosh, adding that her husband drove the float.
"It's a family event."