Oak Bay Tea Party Parade June 6, 2009

This year will be the 45th annual Oak Bay Tea Party Parade and 2009 marks the 47th year celebrating the Oak Bay Tea Party!  The parade will commence from Windsor Park at 10:30 am on Saturday June 6th and proceed through the friendly streets of Oak Bay to Willows Park.  The parade route runs northwest along Newport from Windsor Park to Oak Bay Avenue, west on Oak Bay Avenue, north on Hampshire and Musgrave, east on Estevan, south on Beach, and finishing at Willows Park.  The parade order will be posted on the Oak Bay Tea Party web site by June 4th.

Trophies will be awarded in the following categories: Marching Band, Children's Group, Group Entry, Community Float, and Commercial Float.  Ribbons will also be awarded for children's decorated bicycles.  Winning entries will be announced shortly after the parade during the Opening Ceremonies of the Tea Party at 12:30pm in Willows Park. 

This weekend will be very busy in Oak Bay especially parking your car around Willows Beach.  If you have never experienced it - you've got to go even if you don't like tea.  I was a teenager when I first experienced the Oak Bay Tea Party and played the saxaphone in the Oak Bay Band.  This weekend will have so much to offer and one of the highlights is the famous Baron of Beef that is barbecued right on the beach.  Also available is delicious corn on the cob.  The Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion in Willows Park is always open for business as well as the Oak Bay Rotary will have candy floss and popcorn for sale. The Tea Party runs from Saturday and Sunday June 6th and 7th and starts with the annual pancake breakfast starting at 7:00 am - 11:00 am thanks to the Capital City Lions Club.  There are some fun events to watch, for example a great Air Show being held on Sunday at 2:00pm.  A Skydiver landing on the beach, Military aircraft, Aerobatic aircraft, Sea Rescue Deonstration and a Coast Guard Helicopter Static Display all taking place on Willows Beach.  Another event is the popular Bathtub Race which is scheduled on Sunday at 1:00pm. 

There will be lots of entertainment starting with the Oak Bay High School Concert Band at 12:00pm on Saturday at Willows Park just before the Opening Ceremonies at 12:30pm.  Followed by the Oak Bay High School Jazz Bands, Victoria Children's Choir, Paul Kilshaw the Magician, Glenlyon-Norfold School Jazz Band and Vocal, 'COOKEILIDH' Celtic Band, 'Punch-Drunk Funk', 'Devil's Washbasin', 'Victoria High Rhythm and Blues Band', Bastion Jazz Band, Jazzercize, Ladies' Nail Driving, The COMMODORES Big Band and the Oak Bay Tea Party Raffle Draw.

The Midway runs at from 11:00 am - 9:00pm Saturday and 11:00 am - 6:00pm on Sunday.

The Oak Bay Tea Party is run by volunteers and is proud to assist the following non-profit organizations raise funds for their worthwhile charitable causes:

Oak Bay Kiwanis, Rotary Club of Oak Bay, Capital City Lions Club, Royal Oak Lians Club, Girl Guides of Canada, Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society.

Willows Park/Beach is located in the Estevan area of Oak Bay.  Please view the map...

Wishing you lots of fun!  Please stay tuned for more updates.