Scrooges at this year’s Winter Carnival

I just witnessed the most delightful start to this year’s Winter Carnival. After an eternity of waiting, the parade started with the “Princess Carriage”, containing probably the most un-princess-like princess (translate as ugly) I have ever seen. Still, she was throwing out wonderful candy to the spectators, so beggars can’t be choosers.

As is so often the case in these provincial parades, there was a noticeable disparity between the level of regimental rigour on the part of the parade participants. Some managed just fine…

And others do not know the meaning of a straight line…

Yet, considering the minus ten-degree (Celcius) weather, hats off to all.

The funniest scene I witnessed was the city workers (notice bright orange uniforms) grabbing up the candy from under the children’s noses who were standing nearby (can't see the children in the photo). 

The parade participants throw candy from the floats or bags on their waists into the crowds. Initially, I thought the city workers would hand the candy they picked up to the children. But, no, they scooped the candy up and snuck it down the front of their coats. What a hoot. What a bunch of Scrooges! Still, it’s not as if children really need any more candy than they already have…