Plenty of sunshine and lots of free, fun things to do brought more than 800 people out to the 49th Annual Langley Walk.
The Walk, organized jointly by the Township and City of Langley on Sunday, started and ended at the George Preston Recreation Centre where a number of activities and events for families, including face painting, hula hoops, entertainment, and games, were offered.
“We wanted to give people a whole day of fun, not just the Walk,” said Township recreation programmer Barbara Jeffery. “We hoped the public would come out to enjoy the day with their families.”
Organizers were thrilled with the turnout, which was almost double last year’s when the weather was much less co-operative. This year the rain held off, the sun shone, and hundreds of participants enjoyed some exercise and fresh air during their five or 10 km tour of the Brookswood neighbourhood.
A number of people were recognized for their special participation, including Inta Schorcht, who at age 89 was once again named the Oldest Walker, and Leah Bradshaw and Janene Sellers whose Hawaiian theme earned them Most Creative Walkers.
The Butchers had the most family members participating and Pacific Coast Taekwondo was the organization with the most participants. Langley Fundamental Elementary and Middle School were the elementary and high school with the most students walking.
A new event introduced this year was a gLee-Off in which Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Glee’s track-suit clad Sue Sylvester (otherwise known as Langley School District Trustee Wendy Johnson, Township recreation director David Leavers, and Township community recreation manager Lesley Visser) judged the singing and dancing talents of the enthusiastic participants.
Never On Mondays — an all-star band made up of Township Councillors Steve Ferguson, Bev Dornan, Kim Richter, Bob Long, Charlie Fox, and Grant Ward --- performed their unique and embellished version of 500 Miles by The Proclaimers.
YAC Attack, made up of members of the Township’s Youth Advisory Committee, performed a medley and some fierce moves that gave the councillors a run for their money.
In the end, YAC Attack was declared winner of the gLee-Off and took best choreography, while Never On Mondays won best vocals for their original lyrics.