With the Island Farms Victoria Day Parade just days away from casting its spell over thousands of spectators, Rob Galey is wielding his float-making tools with some magic of his own.

B次元官网网址淵ou look so calm,B次元官网网址� Jenny Matechuk tells the Saanich farmer, who has had a hand in crafting two dozen Victoria Day and Santa Light parade floats over the years, including his family's.

Matechuk, Island Farms marketing and events co-ordinator, is admiring the finishing touches Galey and his team are putting on the Island Farms float.

As it winds down Douglas Street on Monday (May 23), between 60,000 and 70,000 parade-goers will marvel at an oversized milk carton pouring its contents into a large cup.

B次元官网网址淲hen you look at a float, itB次元官网网址檚 not how I look at a float,B次元官网网址� says Galey, who works on the motorized displays when farming winds down for the winter.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like making a cake,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he icing person gets all the credit.B次元官网网址�

While GaleyB次元官网网址檚 work is heating up, Ron ButlinB次元官网网址檚 is winding down.

The volunteer parade organizerB次元官网网址檚 phone isnB次元官网网址檛 ringing 20 times a day anymore, and months spent securing entries are about to pay off.

ItB次元官网网址檚 now up to 40 volunteers from the Lions Clubs from around the region to marshal 4,000 people in 145 entries at the Mayfair Shopping Centre parking lot on parade morning.

The hard work has its rewards.

B次元官网网址淢y favourite part is watching the enjoyment of families,B次元官网网址� says Butlin, who has spent the past 21 years organizing the Victoria Day and Christmas parades as chair of the Greater Victoria Festival Society. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 not many things families can go to today without putting a hand in their pocket.B次元官网网址�

The delight on childrenB次元官网网址檚 faces inspires the Victoria resident to keep going.

B次元官网网址淭his is the 113th consecutive year for the parade but I havenB次元官网网址檛 done them all,B次元官网网址� jokes Butlin, who says he has no plans to retire.

B次元官网网址淣ot yet, but IB次元官网网址檓 getting closer,B次元官网网址� he adds. B次元官网网址淲hen I get up in the morning itB次元官网网址檚 nice to have a purpose.B次元官网网址�

Besides, come Oct. 1 there is the Island Farms Santa Light Parade to start preparing for.

B次元官网网址淭he parades just donB次元官网网址檛 happen,B次元官网网址� Butlin says.

The Island Farms Victoria Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. on Monday (May 23) at Mayfair Shopping Centre, continues along Douglas Street until it reaches Humboldt Street around noon.

emccracken@vicnews.com

By the numbers:

B次元官网网址� 21: American marching bands featuring 2,400 high school students

B次元官网网址� $1.3 million: money spent here by American bands

B次元官网网址� 4,000: parade participants

B次元官网网址� 145: parade entries

B次元官网网址� 60,000 to 70,000: spectators