Port Moody residents are encouraged to drop their electronic devices, don old-time clothes, pack a picnic and head down to Rocky Point Park Saturday, Aug. 17 to celebrate the city's centennial.
Thanks to federal government support, the city is hosting an old-fashioned picnic with games, entertainment and fireworks lasting from noon to 10 p.m. to celebrate its 100th birthday.
"The whole point was to bring people back in time where people have a picnic, listen to great music and play a lot of family games," said Coun. Gerry Nuttall, who heads the centennial organizing committee.
Nuttall said the city wanted to provide a signature event to mark its 100th year and, with a matching grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage, was able to muster $25,000 to put on the day-long show.
Entertainers, including children's performer Charlotte Diamond and the Abba tribute band ABBRA Cadabra, will be featured on the PCT Performance Stage, emceed by seasoned performer Tony Prophet.
Demonstrations will showcase Port Moody's recreational water activities, food trucks will offer a variety of festive food and the day will conclude with a display of fireworks by Archangel Fireworks.
This is the first year in many that PoMo has hosted fireworks, which used to be a Golden Spike Days/Canada Day staple until burgeoning policing costs put them in hibernation. Nuttall said the costs will be absorbed in the PoMo Police budget by altering schedules and doesn't anticipate any concerns because there will be no alcohol on site, and crowds are expected to be smaller than those that used to turn out for the city's fireworks in the past.
He's also excited about the calibre of pyrotechnics that will be on display: Archangel's owner and lead designer helped create opening and closing displays during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the company has won top honours in previous Celebration of Light fireworks displays in Vancouver.
Music accompanying the fireworks will include hits from the Ragtime era through to today's pop music.
Games for kids and families will be another attraction, with bocce and badminton equipment available to borrow at the information tent. And if the kids have forgotten how to hop in burlap sacks or don't know how, this is their chance to participate in old-fashioned games popular among PoMo pioneers.
In addition to the old-fashioned three-legged races and sack races, PoMo will bring back the popular bike-decorating contest, providing all materials needed for children to make their metal steeds stand out in the crowd.
CUPE 825 is also providing free swimming at Rocky Point Pool and Share Family and Community Services will be on site with a 50-50 draw and will be collecting donations for its food bank.
As well, special certificates of recognition will be handed out to Port Moody parents who register their 2013-born babies at the information booth. Their names will be put in a time capsule to be opened 50 to 100 years in the future.
Parking will be free but at a premium in front of the pool, at Inlet Field and the West Coast Express parking lot. People will be able to use the round-about at the park to drop off their families and picnic equipment before continuing on to find parking. The event is free and suitable for all ages.
THE SCHEDULE
Noon to 7 p.m., family games - pick up bocce or badminton equipment at the information tent.
Noon to 1 p.m., Charlotte Diamond on the PCT Performance Stage
1 to 5 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., free public swimming at Rocky Point Outdoor Pool, sponsored by CUPE 825.
Children can join in spoon race, sack race and other games, 1 to 2 p.m., two to four years of age; 2 to 3 p.m., five to seven years; 3 to 4 p.m., eight and nine years. Parents must be present for the children to participate,
1 to 4 p.m., bike decorating; 4:30 p.m., bike parade
1 to 5 p.m., Great Smartini, roving magician
1 to 5 p.m., Centennial Day on the Water activities
1:30 to 3 p.m., the Pids, with special guest Steve Petit
2, 2:30, 4, 4:30 p.m., Power and Sail Squadron lifejacket demonstration at Rocky Point Pool.
2 and 4 p.m., Princess and the Pea Puppet Show by Miryana Heath, Park Green Space.
3:30 and 7:30 p.m., Wall Street dance band on the PCT Performance Stage
4 to 8 p.m., a DJ will be at the skate park
6 to 6:30 p.m., Port Coquitlam Legion Pipe Band will perform at the PCT Performance Stage
6:30 to 6:40 p.m., the mayor, dignitaries and youth poet laureate at the PCT Performance Stage.
7 p.m., tug of war challenge
8 to 9:30 p.m., ABBRA Cadabra at the PCT Performance Stage
9:30 p.m., fireworks by Archangel Fireworks
