Proud to be Canadian
yummy — Left, Donna Price, Bill McGuire Sam and Judy Brown get ready to cut the cake at the Castlegar Legion.
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Updated: July 10, 2009 10:50 AM
Castlegar residents were treated to free hot dogs, hamburgers, live entertainment and a free movie to celebrate our nation’s 142 birthday.
Festivities got underway early on Canada Day with the annual Canada Day breakfast at the Station Museum.
The evening portion of the celebrations kicked off at 5 p.m. at Millennium Park where hundreds of people gathered with their friends and family to celebrate Canada Day.
Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff said he thought the celebrations were spectacular.
Chernoff said he believed about 800 people attended the day’s free events and with all the positive feedback he received he believes the city will put on a similar event next year.
According to Lions Club members, an estimated 500 hamburgers and 400 hot dogs were handed out at the event with at least 50 people, at night’s end, still searching for a bite to eat.
“We really didn’t have an idea about the numbers.
“We played a guessing game, but in the end we ended up short,” Chernoff said.
Chernoff said despite the long lines and wait times he heard nothing but good things about the city, Trowlex and Columbia Power sponsored event.
He said in the coming years, the city would really like to look at incorporating a fireworks display into the day’s activities.
“I think it’s a big part of Canada Day. I think if we have fireworks that’s what will really put the icing on the cake,” he said.
Councillor Deb McIntosh echoed the mayor’s comments saying she thought the event was great.
She said from the people she talked to they were happy to have a Canada Day event they could attend in town.
As for the kinks they encountered, McIntosh said that if they have a similar event next year they will need to have more barbecues and more people cooking.
“We had no idea we would have that many people standing in line,” she said.
McIntosh said it was disappointing to have turned people away near the end of the evening when they ran out of food.
“It was pretty disappointing, but there was nothing we could do. It was beyond our control but those are lessons learned for next year,” she said.
McIntosh added the Lions Club put a great effort and did a great job.
“At the end of the day I think people were very happy with it. We definitely learned a few things and we’ll make those changes for next year,” she said.
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