Picture this: Blankets laid out on the grass, families feasting while chatting with others nearby and the sounds of bluegrass bands drifting in the wind.
That’s the scene envisioned for Saturday’s free heritage picnic at Blue Mountain Park, a signature event to celebrate the city of Coquitlam's 125th year.
It’s a landscape that will harken back to the turn of the century when Coquitlam pioneers — many of them French-Canadians, who migrated west to look for work at the Fraser Mills sawmill — gathered at Booth Farm in Maillardville with their loved ones.
And with Coquitlam marking its milestone anniversary this year, picnic organizers wanted to return to those days when life was much simpler.
“Those Booth Farm picnics are a tangible reminder of the spirit that sparked this community,” said Sandra Martins, who’s been getting ready for the picnic for the past 18 months with volunteers Michael Fera, Carl Trepanier and Joy-Ann Lee.
With a budget of $44,000, the group has lined up plenty of activity and fun to stage the function, which is expected to attract up to 1,000 visitors.
The band 5 On A String will launch the picnic at noon followed at 2 p.m. by Alouest, the French-Canadian/Celtic outfit out of Maillardville.
There will also be marionette and yoyo shows by A Play On Words and Mr. Yoyothrower and, in the entertainment tent, Rowan Lipkovits as well as Peter Zaenker and Larisa Lebeda will perform.
At 1 p.m., guests can also take part in traditional games such as potato sack and three-legged races, and ring and bean bag toss; a tug-of-war challenge will happen at 3 p.m.
Still, for those looking for lighter bustle, guests can sip on the special tea blend poured by the Port Moody pie makers Gabi & Jules, in the tea tent (packages of the commemorative tea will be sold for $10).
As well, the city will hand out heirloom seeds as part of Coquitlam in Bloom, building on its Coquitlam Munch project to plant edibles at local homes. The heirloom seeds — Amish Deer Tongue Lettuce, Lacinato Kale and Johnny Jump Ups — are supplied by Westcoast Seeds and have been packaged into small sampler envelopes for picnic-goers.
But key to the celebrations is the re-enactment of the 1929 Booth Farm picnic photo. At around 4 p.m., guests are invited to pose for the picture that will be used by the city for archival purposes and future marketing materials for Coquitlam 125.
Martins said she hopes the picnic will give Coquitlamites a chance to reflect on their historical roots.
In 1929, when the Booth Farm image was captured, the community was new and had an established industry. Now, Coquitlam is a thriving multicultural metropolis that’s about to usher in a new era with the arrival of the Evergreen Line, bringing with it more growth and commerce.
“Even though our population is significantly higher today, we still want the same things as back then,” Martins said. “We want to know our neighbours, we want to enjoy our parks and we want to be outside with our children having fun.”
“What we are doing with this picnic is creating a new story for Coquitlam,” Fera added, “and that’s very much the theme of the 125th anniversary.”
• The free Coquitlam 125 Community Heritage Picnic takes place Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Blue Mountain Park (975 King Albert Ave.), off Porter Street. The event is sponsored by Oppy. Visit coquitlam125.ca.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
@jwarrenTC
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BOOTH FARM HISTORY
Booth Farm was a gathering spot for the Maillardville pioneers at the start of the 20th century. Located at 1746 Brunette Ave., the 115-year-old home was owned by Ralph Booth.
In 2013, the city purchase the land to preserve it for heritage purposes.
