CandyTownās lollipop decorations were cleverly made out of curled-up pool noodles covered in clear cellophane and stuck on a piece of white PVC piping. It was a smart and possibly dual use of the floatation toy considering the relentless rain during Saturdayās outdoor street party.
The fifth year of the Yaletown festival closed down Mainland Street for the day, where food trucks, festival musicians and craft tents were positioned across from the areaās wax bars, beauty salons, anti-aging laser centres and an assortment of other boutiques. Ā
A sea of umbrellas filled the narrow street along with children in full-piece rain suits and dogs, some also in rain suits. There wasnāt a moment of pause in action. In between the trucks and the tents, there were also street performers, ice-carving demonstrations, candy-making and horse-drawn carriage rides for a donation to the B.C. Childrenās Hospital ā all organized by the Yaletown Business Improvement Association.
Kate Russ is one of the drivers for Triple A Horse and Carriage ā the same company that does the Stanley Park rides during all seasons except for winter. She said she possibly had one of the best jobs of the day, being with the horses as well as riding in a covered carriage.
Russ has worked with horses most her life; her last job was with thoroughbred racehorses, a breed known for its sensitivity as much as its quickness.
āThese horses are a bit bigger than what Iām used to,ā Russ said as she put the brakes on the two Clydesdales with a line that attached them both. āTheyāre a lot more docile than any thoroughbred Iāve come across.ā
The horses seemed their happiest when walking the 11-minute loop through Yaletown around the pedestrian-packed festival, evidenced by their fidgeting while waiting for the wagon to load with a new load of riders.
āItās exciting to drive down here,ā Russ said. āFor the most part, the cars are really good and theyāre understanding. Theyāll slow down around the horses. Parked cars are a big thing, though, because the running boards stick out quite a bit. And then the pedestriansā¦ People jumping in front and taking photos.ā
But the horses are smart ā Luke, the big grey to Russās left, in particular. He knows when to stop, Russ said, as the clomping of hooves on pavement slowed to a stop behind a car on Davie Street. Luke also knows the difference between a red and green light.
āYeah, they love their job. As you saw from before, when theyāre standing around for too long, they just want to go.ā
Russ and her boyfriend are Australian, in Ā鶹“«Ć½Ó³»on a work visa. She said they prefer the experience to the city over the Aussie mountain/party magnet of Whistler.
āWe went up there and it was all Australians,ā she said. āSo weāre here, and itās such a fun city.ā
Even in the teeming rain.
@rebeccablissett
