For some Prince George residents, the best way to beat the heat this weekend was to face it head on.
With the sun shinning, Fort George Park was hopping on Monday for B.C. Day celebrations organized by the Prince George Knights Society.
Shade was at a premium around the band shell in the afternoon as patrons tried to stay out of the direct heat while enjoying the family-themed entertainment.
When even that got too hot, the water park was a popular destination for children and adults alike.
"This is unbelievable for Prince George," Antonio Vera said of the weather as he supervised his family cooling down on the splash pad.
Vera said the inflatable rides were a hit, but the concessions held the secret to keeping the heat at bay.
"Lots of ice cream," he said, laughing.
Face painting and a variety of games for children also brought people out to the park Monday and the weather made it all the more popular given the rainy summer of 2011.
"We definitely want to be outside, enjoying the sun -- especially since we didn't have any last year," said Tanya MacDonald, with children Nikita, Kirah and Callia in tow.
MacDonald said the nice weather was a great excuse to get the kids out of the house and away from the television and she came prepared for the heat.
"Lots of water to stay hydrated plus hats and sunscreen," she said.
Local rivers and lakes were also hopping this weekend with boaters, canoeists, swimmers and tubers soaking in the sun.
There were no records set, despite the run of hot weather. The mercury hit 30 C on Sunday, three degrees short of a local record set in 1990. On Monday the temperature topped out at 28 C, four degrees under a record set in 2008.
Meanwhile, preparations continue for the Prince George Exhibition which opens Wednesday. The heat didn't help matters as volunteers sweated their way through the job to get the site ready for the 100th anniversary celebration, but general manager Terri McConnachie said everything is on track.
"Setting up is setting up, regardless of the weather," she said. "It's not our most favourite part of the fair."
