PICTURE and VIDEO special: Local reporter meets himself at gala parade. Triumphant return of Wick Gala Week with parade of floats – see if you're pictured in the gallery of over 100 pictures and 5 videos

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Wick Gala Week's annual procession of floats made a triumphant and welcome return on Saturday evening after a three year break due to Covid restrictions.

Wick Pipe Band signalled the start of the procession with the Gala Queen and decorated floats journeying slowly through the streets of the town. This reporter had to do a double take when confronted by himself in the shape of Ann Bremner from Thrumster who had "A quote for the Groat from David G Scott" emblazoned on her back.

The number of floats were slightly down on previous Gala Week processions but the skills put into the costumes and satirical scenes displayed were top-notch. Spirits were high and though the heavens opened as the procession made its way up Cliff Road the festivities continued all the way to the Assembly Rooms where thousands of pounds of donations from big-hearted Wickers and visitors were received and fancy dress judging took place.

The Gala Committee chairman, Alex McDonald, said: "We were absolutely gobsmacked at the support and turnout of floats and people on foot. Wow. Wind, rain or snow they'll come out.

"The floats were a bit down in numbers compared to 2019 but the quality was of a really high standard. It was absolutely unbelievable and we did not know what to expect post-Covid."

Invited speaker at the crowning ceremony, Pat Ramsay, agreed with the chairman's sentiments saying: "It was great start to Wick Gala and such an amazing turn out of floats and walkers.

"So much thought and hard work goes in to each entry and the Gala Committee have done a splendid job once again. The weather didn't dampen the spirits at all and there's a full programme of events for the week ahead."

Cllr Janet McEwan MBE, the new Provost of Wick, was attending a wedding at Mackays Hotel but popped out to see the colourful spectacle as it passed by. "It was absolutely amazing," she said.

"When Wick community all work together they can do amazing things. The Queen with carriages and attendants were just so lovely, even in the rain. The floats were amazing, well thought out and what a lot of hard work went into them, truly amazing work, and not forgetting the pipe band, majorettes and all the foot walkers that were dressed with their collection cans.

"It was just brilliant to see the Gala again and the rain didn’t dampen the night. Well done Wick Gala Committee."

Fancy dress results:

Adult Group

1 – Sesame Street

2 – Johnny Depp – Mega Pint

3 – Go Kart or Go Home

Family Group

1 – Top Gun

Mixed Group

1 – Minions

2 – Orca Watch

Adult Pairs

1 – Scooby Doo

2 – Mardi Gras

3 – Shetland Space Port Spacemen

Adult

1 – Happy Camper

2 – Rockstar

Junior

1 – Danny the Menace

2 – Gnasher the Dog (Maisie)

Most Memorable Character on a Float – Vecna from Stranger Things

Most Memorable Character Walker – Edward Scissor Hands from Mega Pint

Most Memorable Child – Astronaut Ellie Sinclair

Wooden Spoon for Best Slogan – Top Gun Float

Small Float – Wullie and the Chocolate Factory

Most Topical

1 – Stranger Things

2 – Top Gun

Most Original Float

1 – Jubil–Bee

2 – I’m a Weeker

Best Decorated

1 – Harry Potter

2 – Stranger Things

Maximum Effort – Top Gun

Supreme Award – Harry Potter

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