There are many emotions that surface when a person returns home after being away a while … joy, surprise and thankfulness are a few of the more common. However, feeling overwhelmed, gratitude and serenity are not far from that exterior.
Emotions ran the gamut for most during Snow Lake’s 70th anniversary celebrations and although there wasn’t much in the way of cooperation from the weather, it seemed a minor inconvenience to the hundreds of people who wanted nothing more than to reminisce with childhood friends and hometown neighbours.
The four-day celebration kicked off June 29 with a massive street party, which closed Main Street to vehicles and left dancing shoes and table hopping as the only modes of transportation. The local Legion and Snow Lake Motor Inn opened the doors on their buildings and their coolers, while hundreds milled about on the street in front, as well as within the confines, of the two establishments. When the clouds opened and the all-day sprinkles turned to full on rain, all but the hearty moved indoors, where folks reveled till closing time, then moved to community homes to continue the celebration.
The following day, attendees took up where they left off during a large pancake breakfast in the Motor Inn and a continental affair across the street at the Legion. The weather was slightly more cooperative and the mixed golf tournament managed to take place on a very soggy golf course. Numbers were less than expected, but rain and an audience bent on visiting every waking moment was surely to blame.
Museum and school tours took place in the afternoon all with fond remembrances and to rave reviews. As well, in the afternoon, there was a "History of Mines" presentation by Dave Koop in the SLMI. Koopy played to a full house that proved to be a very appreciative audience!
A "Princess and Superhero" Dance was held for the younger set, also in the afternoon. This was basically a gathering that had youngsters dress as their favorite superhero or princess and mingle with one another. There were prizes, a draw and no doubt a hall full of cuteness.
The day wound down with a well-attended car show on Main Street. After the show’s prize money was handed out, folks went home to get gussied up for the Canada Day social.
Held in the Wilfred T. Lipton Arena, the social was an amazing event. Never has a place been so full of memories and mementoes. If people weren’t comparing stories about the sweaters in the rotunda and the photos on the walls, they were recounting their last skate down the storied surface of the ol’ Wilfred T. It was not only an event to recall the past; many new memories were spawned during the five-hour affair. One person was overheard stating that it was just like speed dating. Getting and passing on facts to one person, then moving on to the next. Only a good night’s sleep relieved the smiles from this gathering.
Canada Day began as it normally does … only a lot wetter! There was the pancake breakfast at the Senior Centre and some continental cuisine down the street at the Legion. Before folks knew it, the blare of rescue vehicles announced the commencement of the parade. Floats of every size and description lined the route and no less than five Mounties in red serge and the Legion Colour Party led those who took part. A beach that was underwater the day before wasn’t conducive to the normal activities, but a number of events were able to take place nonetheless. As is always the case, the beer gardens and food both were a focal point. After a mini-triathlon for the teenage crowd, some folks gathered at the Motor Inn for finger food and a live band.
The fireworks marking our country’s 150th, as well as our 70th, began at midnight and held the area spellbound for close to a half hour … they were beyond compare and people were still talking about them as I write this.
Sunday quite appropriately brought some sun, and the Ladybug Garden’s pancake breakfast was buzzing with early risers. Some people headed from there to the church service at the beach, while others headed up to the golf course for the Northstars' 40th anniversary golf tournament. While participants were hitting "best ball’" down the fairways, Former mayor and businessman Dave Baird held court in the clubroom. He entertained everyone with tales of old until participants got in their round.
From noon till shortly after five the skies were buzzing with Gogal Air’s choppers. They took off and landed every 10 or so minutes touring people around the area sights … it was one of the more popular events of the gathering.
There was an open house at the Anglican United Church, a 50th anniversary for longtime residents Glen and Dianna Bartley, and pontoon boat tours of the lake our town was named for prior to the culminating occasion of the weekend – a beef on a bun supper followed by a concert by Sierra Noble. The arena was once again packed and the meal and show were thoroughly enjoyed.
Prior to everyone lining up for supper, there was a question put forward from the stage, by Snow Lake’s Mayor Kim Stephen. Do we want to do it again at 75 years or at 80? It was hard to tell what the crowd favoured, but one thing's for sure … Penny and Peter Roberts earned the right to sit back and enjoy the next one, because the 70th certainly wouldn’t have flown without their hard work and organizing!
