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o cANADA!

Barkerville celebrates 150 years of Dominion Day

It’s been 150 years since the first Do- launched their own version of a 21 that the fledgling country didn’t else, and a full eleven years before of visitors have flocked to Williams Dominion Day birthday cake will be
minion Day (or, Canada Day) party gun salute. Cannons were in short even have a flag. The very next year July 1st was officially recognized as Creek to take part in Barkerville’s served at 11:00 am, followed by a re-
in history, and if you pay a visit to supply, so black powder charges Cariboo’s “new” Canadian Flag, “Dominion Day.” annual Dominion Day celebrations. enactment of the traditional (and ex-
Barkerville this summer you’ll find were detonated between stacked with its iconic beaver and wreath, plosive) anvil chorus just past noon,
the place where it all happened. blacksmith anvils, providing a loud was raised in the dead of night “This is the earliest recorded celebra- “Celebrating Canada’s birthday here a costumed street parade and array
and raucous start to Canada’s very to the top of a newly constructed tion of Canada Day in our country’s in Barkerville has a profound mean- of traditional games for both chil-
Canada’s very first Dominion Day cel- first birthday party. A full slate of ac- flagpole almost 20 feet higher than history,” said James Douglas, Barker- ing,” said Douglas. “Barkerville pro- dren and adults, including a broad
ebration was held in Barkerville, BC as tivities followed throughout the day that of the Americans. The next day ville’s Manager of Visitor Experienc- vides a unique and intriguing setting jump, funny face contest, cracker
a fervent display of support for Cana- and long into the evening, capped began with the now traditional an- es. “And Barkerville has continued for visitors to commemorate British eating whistle races, sack race, tug-
dian confederation three years before off with a fireworks display of epic vil chorus and the ensuing celebra- the party every year since, for the Columbia’s history, to reminisce o-war, egg toss, hammer toss, ladies
British Columbia joined in 1871. proportions. tions were legendary. past 150 years.” about its pioneers, and to share the nail-pounding, egg-and-spoon race,
joy and pride of being a Canadian.” and a grease pole climb. Later in
Just past midnight on July 1st, 1868, It was quickly noted by resident Extensive historical research sug- Ever since the entire town was de- the evening guests are invited to the
the Dominion of Canada’s inaugural Americans, whose upcoming July gests that Barkerville began celebrat- clared a National Historic Site of Can- This year as special commemoration, Theatre Royal for a fun and frolic-
anniversary, Barkerville residents 4th party had just been eclipsed, ing Canada Day before anywhere ada in 1924, hundreds of thousands Barkerville’s giant 150th anniversary filled musical variety show, and to
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