District of Squamish to host 50th Anniversary Community Picnic, Monday, August 4

Fifty years ago this year, the Village of Squamish amalgamated with Mamquam and Brackendale to create the newly incorporated District of Squamish, and to celebrate this milestone, the District is hosting a 50^th Anniversary Community Picnic on Monday, August 4, 2014. The Community Picnic is part of the Squamish Days Loggers Sports weekend, and the 100 Years of Squamish festivities.

Pack a blanket, a picnic lunch and gather with us for live music, a historical photo display, a costume photo booth, First Nations performances for the whole family, and of course cake. This free event takes place at the U Siyam Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome.

“We are proud to share this milestone with the community as we look back on 50 years since the District was formed, and look ahead to 50 more years filled with opportunity and promise,” says Mayor Rob Kirkham. “I’m especially pleased to welcome a delegation from our Sister City Shimizu to Squamish to help us commemorate this celebration, as well as our Member of Parliament John Weston, and MLA Jordan Sturdy.”

The ceremony will begin at 11:15 a.m. with a traditional welcome from the Squamish Nation. The afternoon’s music lineup features K Band, Michael Kilby, Will Ross, and Sofie Hill. Mountain FM’s Carl Brown will be the afternoon’s emcee, First Nations workshops will be offered for a small fee by Tsawaysia Spukwus and the Campfire Grill will be on-site with food available to be purchased.

The event will also offer the opportunity for the official delegates to cut the ribbon on the opening of the Mamquam Blind Channel waterfront park, which now houses a pump track courtesy of the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association, slacklines (coming soon), picnic tables and benches, and beach access to launch kayaks, canoes or paddleboards. The waterfront park will also become home to the Vancouver Biennale’s art installation, currently being created by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz.

The 50^th anniversary Community Picnic is one of the many milestone celebrations taking place in 2014 as part of the 100 Years of Squamish campaign.

Follow along with the 100 Years of Squamish on Facebook and Twitter, or at Squamish2014.ca.

July 29, 2014