Local monarchists celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne as Queen of Canada with a lovely party at the Revelstoke Museum on Saturday.
More than 200 people attended the event and marked it with song, cake and the award of special Diamond Jubilee medals to five citizens whose work to better life in Revelstoke over the years was certainly worthy of attention and reward.
MP David Wilks, assisted by Mayor David Raven, presented the medals to Geoff Battersby, Helen Grace, Wally Mohn, the late David Johnson (his wife, Edna Mae, accepted the medal on his behalf) and Steven Hui.
Music for the event was provided by the Fourth Street Jazz Project and the Army Cadets, Parks Canada and the Nickelodeon Museum all had booths set up while the Lions Club grilled up burgers and dogs for people with appetites.
Here are photos from the event, which was ably MC’d by Graham Harper:
Alex Wadey adjusts the microphone for Master of Ceremony Graham Harper prior to the Revelstoke Museum’s party on Saturday to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. David F. Rooney photoCharlote Beglinger led the more than 200 people who attended the Diamond Jubilee Festival in front of the Museum in singing O Canada and God Save the Queen as Const. Seanan Sharp raised the flag. David F. Rooney photoLisa Moore represented First Nations tribes at the ceremony. She was especially thankful for the network of support that exists in Revelstoke for families. David F. Rooney photoThe crowd filled First Street West in front of the Museum and included booths sets up by the Lions Club, who grilled hot dogs and burgers, the Army Cadets who served up drinks and refreshing ups filled with cubed melons and other fruits. Parks Canada also had a booth and there was both live music provided by the Fourth Street Jazz Project and a childrens’ activity area. MC Graham Harper treated the crowd to assorted tidbits of Royal trivia such as this little factoid: Her Majesty is the only Royal in history who knows how to change a spark plug . And that is thanks to her Royal Women’s Army Corps training during the Second World War when she was trained as a truck driver. She also doesn’t need a licence to drive, to carry money nor does she need a passport. David F. Rooney photoMuseum Curator Cathy English introduces Helen Grace to the audience. Helen acted a stand-in for the Queen and engaged with Cathy in a short dialogue about her reign. David F. Rooney photoMembers of the Museum’s Heritage Explorer Program, Jenelle Tetrault, Carmen Sampson, Lauren Channell and Isabella Mendonca, sang a traditional song, accompanied by Alex Wadey on guitar, for guests at the Diamond Jubilee party. David F. Rooney photoMP David Wilks was one of the guests of honour at the Jubilee. He brought with him Diamond Jubilee Medals and certificates signed by the Governor General for five members of the community. 60,000 Canadians received these special medals issued to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year on the throne. Wilks said he asked Mayor David Raven and other community leaders to recommend the medal recipients. David F. Rooney photoAnd here, accompanied by Wilks and Const. Sharp (left) and Mayor David Raven (right), are the folks who received the medals: Wally Mohn, Helen Grace, Geoff Battersby, Edna Mae Johnson who accepted the medal on behalf of her late husband, David, and Steven Hui. These are all individuals who have made major — and ongoing — contributions to community life. David F. Rooney photoAs often happens at what members of the news media call “photo ops,” lots of people — not just news photographers — like to take pictures of their friends and relatives who are being honoured. David F. Rooney photoAfter the formal proceedings, MP David Wilks was ably assisted by young Halle Wolgram during the cake cutting. David F. Rooney photoAnd, of course, the medal recipients — sans Steven Hui — posed with the cakes for official event photographer Keri Knapp. Keri shot scores of photos, which you’ll be able to see — and purchase — starting July 23 on her website, www.keriknapp.com/thestore. The password for that portion of the website is: jubilee. David F. Rooney photoFopurth Street Jazz Project musicians Sylvain Hebert on sax, Mike Liggins on the electric cello and John Baker on guitar provided some pretty cool tunes that moderated the afternoon heat. David F. Rooney photoMP David Wilks shows he knows a thing or two about gardening as he plants a special Queen Elizabeth rose bush in the Revelstoke Museum’s garden. Curator Cathy English (right) said the rose was specially bred in her honour of Her Majesty. David F. Rooney photoMuseum Curator Cathy English presents MP David Wilks with a copy of the Museum’s latest publication, Reflections, whichhighlights community life as captured on film by photographers Earl and Estelle Dickey. David F. Rooney photo
