A mechanical bull, a pie-throwing contest and a lacrosse are all part of Salmonbellie Day in New Westminster.
Four levels of Salmonbellies – minor, junior, senior and alumni – will be joining forces to celebrate 130 years of Salmonbellies in the Royal City onSunday, June 16 from noon to 5 p.m. in Queen’s Park.
“This is a must-do event for all young to old,” said a press release about Salmonbellie Day. “We hope anyone who ever played lacrosse for the Bellies, or anyone who does now on all four levels or wants to, comes out on this day.”
Salmonbellie Day, being held on the Queen’s Park East field, also includes lacrosse drills, a bouncy castle, games, a Bellie tattoo shop for kids, the Mann Cup beer garden, Mikeburgers and live music performed by The Real Canadian Rock Band. It’s also a chance to meet famous Bellies, with Senior Salmonbellies and Hall of Famers set to attend and sign autographs at 2 p.m.
Of course, Salmonbellie Day wouldn’t be complete without a lacrosse game. The Junior A Salmonbellies will take on the Victoria Shamrocks at Queen’s Park Arena at 5 p.m.
“Let’s celebrate Canada’s greatest lacrosse city, while honouring our coaches and dads,” said a write-up about the event being held on Father’s Day. “Wear your Bellies gear and come hungry.”
At council’s June 10 meeting, Mayor Jonathan Cote proclaimed June 16 to be Salmonbellie Day. On hand for the proclamation were: Dan Richardson, president and general manager of the Senior Salmonbellies; lacrosse legend Wayne Goss, a member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame; Warren Goss, general manager of the Junior A Salmonbellies; and Steve Porter, head coach with the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association.
When proclaiming June 16 as Salmonbellie Day, Mayor Jonathan Cote said the Salmonbellies have a long and deep history in the city and are part of the fabric of New Westminster. The proclamation stated that: the name Salmonbellies is unique to the game of lacrosse and New Westminster; the Salmonbellies have represented the City of New Westminster proudly at national events at the minor, junior and senior level and have proven to be great ambassadors for the Royal City on and off the field of play, demonstrating sportsmanship, and playing at the highest level at each level; and Salmonbellies give back to the community on an ongoing basis and provide training and teach young boys and girls how to play the game of lacrosse, one of Canada’s two national sports.
