Did you enjoy the Canada Day festivities? This always seems to be a time when there is a lot to do in celebration of our country.
It was in 1872 that British Columbia officially marked for the first time the July 1 date as Dominion Day. It appears that it may have been a bit of a last-minute thing as a short item in the local paper in the June 29 issue noted.
“We are now on the eve of Dominion Day, but we are still ignorant of any preparations for its proper observance. It is strange that we are the only community in the province that has not made every arrangement for its celebration.”
However something definitely was done, as an article in the same paper a few days later noted that all went well and the day was truly celebrated.
“Our citizens were at last moved to act in conformity with the spirit of the age and show their respect for the great national holiday of our Dominion.”
In the arrangements set forth for this “great national holiday,” residents who were active in such matters fell back on the tried and true things that had been effectively called upon for other festive town events.
“The stores were all closed, and the city made gay with a display of bunting, the requisite number of guns were fired in due time and large numbers proceeded to the cricket ground where they enjoyed themselves with pleasant exercise, and generally took advantage of the day which was delightfully fine.”
It is clear that the city had a full day of “fun and games” and in walking through the streets of the city on the way out to the playing ground people in town for July 1, 1872, would most certainly have noticed the community involvement. When the day played out, the evening’s standards took the forefront and the festive day continued.
“In the evening our young men got up a ball and it certainly was an agreeable affair. The music kindly provided by gentlemen amateurs was excellent, and the supper was all that could be desired. A larger number of ladies were present and of course a goodly number of our principal citizens and the major part of our bachelors. The dancing was kept up with great spirit till a late hour and was evidently thoroughly enjoyed.”
A final comment seems to point out things were put together in a hurry: “We must award every praise to the young men for the celerity in arrangement and the perfection with which the drill shed was fitted up and lighted.
