New Westminster's Queen's Park is a very popular place to visit for different reasons at all times of the year. For spring flowers, summer warmth, fall colours and winter snow, you will always find someone enjoying this part of the Royal City.
Over its many decades, there have been many different reasons to attend events at the park that might be a little unusual or strange, but all are memorable. The following are a few that fit that description.
A Royal visit in 1919 by the Prince of Wales fits this quite well. He greeted dignitaries, spent some time talking with old soldiers, and seemed to enjoy himself, but one part of the event was unusual. As things were wrapping up, the Prince took the microphone and announced that he had just asked the mayor to give all the students another day off from school because of his visit to the city and of course the mayor had said yes. This was followed by great cheering and applause by all the young folks in attendance and the Prince of Wales was very popular that day.
Another park event a bit out of the ordinary was the rodeo. For many years the fall fair also included a rodeo. People came from far and wide to see this and there are action photos of bucking broncos and jost-ling riders putting on their show. Apparently space was pre-arranged at the Royal Columbian Hospital by the travelling circuit in case there were injuries to any participants of this rodeo.
The Provincial Exhibition held each fall always offered something quite different, something that people might not have had any other opportunity to see. We have talked of such things many times, but one that stands out occurred during the exhibition that was the Dominion Fair of 1905.
This was something that we take totally for granted today - the buildings were outlined with strings of lights and at a specific time, a switch was flipped, and the buildings lit up.
In its time - 1905 - this was simply amazing, and huge crowds gathered each evening of the fair to see it happen.
And then there was a lacrosse game, but not just any game - a championship between New Westminster and Montreal. This specific game in the early 1900s was, of course, the field game (box lacrosse had not yet been created) and took place on the main playing field - today's stadium area. The big, big, difference from today?
Imagine more than 15,000 people in attendance. Not a typo - a huge crowd; and yes, the locals won.
Want more information? On Wednesday, July 18 starting at 7: 30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library, the historical society evening will feature a presentation - pictures and stories - on the history of this important New Westminster green space.
