During the August long weekend, Big Valley took on a festive, carnival-like atmosphere as the town threw itself a giant birthday bash as it turned 100.
Dances, dinners, carnivals, music, special presentations and the nearby Hivernant Métis rendezvous made Big Valley the happening place to be.
The festivities began with opening ceremonies on Friday, Aug. 1, and included a special presentation by the Canadian military. A member of the Calgary regiment travelled to Big Valley to present a display case with a pair of shackles within to Lois Miller.
The shackles had belonged to Big Valley resident Bill Olive, who during the Second World War was taken prisoner by the Germans. The shackles were kept and were presented back to the community and Olive’s family.
“It was very meaningful,” town CAO Michelle White said.
A penny carnival hosted by the Friends of the Big Valley Library was so popular that there were constant line-ups of kids, all waiting to take their turn at the games and make off with a prize. By the time the penny carnival wound down on Sunday, the Friends breathed a big sigh of relief. The prizes had held out – barely. The event was so popular they had almost run out.
While final numbers aren’t available yet, White knows that the weekend drew in more than 500 people, and expects the numbers will show well higher than that.
“We had 300 people register, but we had more than 500 for the dinner,” she said. The numbers from all the events aren’t in yet.
Every year, the Village holds a parade, and it loops and goes around the community twice, White explained.
This Centennial year the parade entries were so numerous that the loop had to be very big, she said, because the parade tail was simply so long.
“Dave Webster did an amazing job as our parade marshal,” White said.
The musicians who entertained during the parade set up shop all over town, playing music throughout the day and the weekend, creating a “carnival feel.”
Though White admitted she felt a bit “mind numb” after the busy weekend, which was months in the making, she felt extremely happy with the result. Sunny daytime weather made it extremely pleasant for the visitors to the community, and the schedule was gentle enough that people had time to visit with family and friends and each other in between the different events.
The fireworks on Saturday were well received by the crowd, and definitely assisted by the storm clouds rolling in as it became darker fast – and the ground was nice and wet, making fires less of a concern.
The Alberta Prairie Railway trains coming into town came with full cars, and crowds would wait on the train platform to welcome the community guests.
The Valley Belles (and a few Gents) were on hand in their costumes, parasols out, as they greeted those who came to celebrate the community’s birthday – looking the part with pinafore and lace, just like the ladies would have looked a hundred years ago.
Parade prizes
Best old-time costume - Kathy Evans, Dale Emett
Best old-time tractor - Big Valley Ag Society
Best old-time automobile - Walter Hudson
Best horse-drawn entry - Chad Sorenson
Best light horse entry - Tess Thurston
Best children’s entry - Knowles Family
Best children’s bike entry - Chance Skocdopole
Best musical entry - Muhlbach Electric trio
Most comical entry - Big Valley Creation and Science Museum
Best centennial float - Webster Family
Best commercial entry -Barb Wire Custom Hats
Best club & organization entry - Big Valley Senior Belles