Williams Lake's most-attended single-day Stampede event went smoothly as an estimated crowd of 15,000 watched the Williams Lake Stampede Parade wind through the Lake City on Saturday. The weather was perfect for the annual Parade where more than 110 entries went by. The Parade had bands from Williams Lake, Vancouver, Vernon and even South America. Royalty in the Parade came from Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops, Quesnel and our newly crowned Stampede Queen Brandy Dowling rode the route. Dignitaries in the Parade included our newly elected MP Dick Harris, outgoing MP Philip Mayfield, Cariboo North MLA Dr. John Wilson, Cariboo South MLA Walt Cobb, Quesnel Mayor Nate Bello, Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley, Ashcroft Mayor Andrew Kormendy and Williams Lake Mayor Rick Gibson.

Jim Fraser led the way as the Honourary Stampede Parade Marshall for the 2004 Williams Lake Stampede Parade. A fomer Mayor of the City of Williams Lake Jim is familiar with the Parade and was honoured as this year for being such an important part of Williams Lake. Recently Jim was given a BC Community Achievement Award for his innumerable hours working for organizations like the Hough Memorial Cancer Society, 2002 BC Winter Games, Mt. Timothy Ski Society and more. Jim was joined by his wife Ruth.

You can see the Parade on Shaw TV channel 10 during the week of July 5th, watch for the notices on channel 10 for times.

The following are the winners in the 2004 Williams Lake Stampede Parade;

Thank you to the volunteer groups including Scouts Canada for carrying our Platinum and Gold sponsor's banners and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) for Parade route security.

The Stampede Parade Society would also like to take the time to thank the individual volunteers for their time in helping put on the Parade. Every year nearly 60 people work on Parade day, and in the weeks leading up, to help it go as smoothly as possible.

Preparations have already begun for next year's Parade, scheduled to take to the streets of Williams Lake on Saturday, July 2nd, 2005.