Canada Day has come and gone, but we’re still riding high from the celebrations.
While preparing the Pemberton Museum’s float for this year’s Canada Day parade, we turned to our archives for a little inspiration and came across this wonderful collection of photos capturing the vibrant spirit of a typical 1970s Canada Day parade. While Pemberton’s Canada Day parade has evolved a lot since the 1970s, there is one thing that has remained constant over the decades: the strong sense of community that shines throughout the valley. In the spirit of the holiday, and in celebration of this beautiful community we call home, we’re sharing these nostalgic photographs as part of this month’s Throwback Thursday blog.
These photographs were generously shared with us by Laurence (Laurie) Laurson, and the full collection is available in our archives: https://www.pembertonmuseum.org/photograph_categories/laursen-laurence-laurie/
Pictured third from the left in the above photograph is Shirley Henry, who served as mayor and alderman of Pemberton for an impressive 19 consecutive years, from 1975 to 1993.
Henry was the first female mayor in Pemberton, and her impact was wide and long-lasting. A true force in the community, she contributed in many ways beyond her political role, including, but not limited to, as a Sunday school teacher and leader for Brownies, Cubs, Guides, and Pathfinders.
A common theme in this collection of photographs is the presence of “Princesses” riding atop the floats in Pemberton’s Canada Day parade. This tradition was especially popular in small-town parades during the 1970s-80s, where it was customary for young women from the community to be voted in to serve as their respective organization’s float princess. Dressed in her finest gown and waving to the crowd from a beautifully decorated float, she embodied a sense of pride and celebration.
The Pemberton Legion celebrated its 69th anniversary this year. In 1956, Pemberton was officially incorporated as a self-governing municipality, and Branch 201 of the Royal Canadian Legion wasted no time establishing itself that same year.
Created to provide veterans with a place to connect, find support, take part in and execute community events, since its founding, the Pemberton Legion has been a cornerstone of our community and continues to be a proud and active participant in Pemberton’s Canada Day parade to this day.
Citations:
- French, J. (2013, May 29). BC Chamber recognizes work of Pemberton’s Shirley Henry. Pique Newsmagazine. https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/sea-to-sky/bc-chamber-recognizes-work-of-pembertons-shirley-henry-2493771#:~:text=The%20former%20mayor%20was%20first,mayor%20from%201979%20To%201993.
- Richman, M. (2020, September 30). Message from mayor Richman: Thank you to Shirley Henry & Family. Village of Pemberton. https://www.pemberton.ca/government/news/post/message-from-mayor-richman-thank-you-to-shirley-henry-family
- Pemberton organizations celebrate 150 years of service. Pique Newsmagazine. (2006, May 26). https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler-news/pemberton-organizations-celebrate-150-years-of-service-2472929
- Wilson. R.L. (1998). Small Town Growth Management, Planning for Socially Sustainable Change in Pemberton, British Columbia Thesis, University of British Columbia.https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/stream/pdf/831/1.0088929/1