Get ready for Founder's Day 2014
By Contributor
Saturday 12th of July 2014
– FREE admission –
Greenwood, BC celebrates it’s 117th birthday!
Located 27 kilometers west of Grand Forks, BC you will find Canada’s smallest city (population less that 700!) celebrating from 8am till dusk with a multitude of activities to entertain family and friends of all ages and likes.
Fueling up in the morning with the Fireman’s Breakfast that will give you the energy you need to partake in the annual parade that runs along S. Government St and culminates at Lion’s Park where festivities will be sure to tantalize and entertain until dusk.
Food, Magic Shows, Karaoke, Cake, Beer Garden, Gold Panning Demonstrations, Farmers Market, Artisans, Clown City Amusement Center, Music, Bingo, Metis First Nations, Church Service, Balloons and so much more!
Greenwood History
Known for it’s iconic smelter smokestack, Japanese/Canadian culture and most recently it’s award-winning water, Greenwood, B.C. has much to celebrate since it was first declared a city in 1897 during the mining boom of the Boundary District.
The townsite, named after Greenwood mining camp in Colorado, was laid out in 1895, incorporated as a city in 1897 and by 1899 the population reached 3000. The BC Copper Co opened a smelter in 1901 and employed up to 450 men in its mine and smelter. After WWI, however, a drastic fall in copper prices caused the closure of both operations, and Greenwood became little more than a ghost town.
It was revived during WWII in 1942 in a traumatic turn of events when 1200 Japanese Canadians were forcefully interned in Greenwood. Some of them remained after the camp was closed in 1946 and about 10% of local residents are of Japanese origin.
In 2012 Greenwood was voted “Best Municipal Water in the World” in the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition – and has placed in the top 3 since.
Founder’s Day History
Merlin Phelps started Founders Day back in 1987 for Greenwood’s 90th year of incorporation as a city and spearheaded the centennial but unfortunately passed before the 100th year celebration.
The first Founders Day was an interdenominational church service, pot luck picnic, kids bike parade and bed race down South Government St.
Les and Nora Williams reignited the interest in Founders Day in 1999 adding music, vendors and a larger parade. It has continued since and is currently organized through The Greenwood Board of Trade.
This is the 16th year for Founders Day celebrating the Greenwood’s 117th anniversary of incorporation.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Fireman’s Breakfast 8am in Lions Park – $6 — Hwy 3 and Pass St
Parade 10:30 starting at McArthur Center – along S. Government St — 1375 Veteran’s Lane
Festivities Noon until dusk in Lions Park Hwy 3 and Pass St
Farmer’s Market 9am – 4pm
Bingo 10am – 4pm
Clown City Amusement Center Noon – 4pm
Beer Garden Noon – 8pm
Opening Ceremonies and Cake Noon – 12:30
Karaoke 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Door Prize 5pm
Live Music 5pm – 9pm
- All children must be accompanied by an adult
- No pets allowed
- Bring your own lawn chair and sunscreen!!
- Drink responsibly – organize a designated driver BEFORE you arrive
- Donations of nonperishable food items will be collected for the West Boundary area food banks at our main gate in Lions Park
Pre-Founder’s Day Friday Night Bingo @ McArthur Centre 1375 Veteran’s Lane
Doors @ 5pm – Starts @ 7pm – Snacks & refreshments served
Post-Founder’s Day Sunday Church Service @ Lions Park – Hwy 3 and Pass St
Free Hot Dogs & Refreshments @ 5pm – Service @ 6:30pm
VENDORS contact: Janet 250-445-6133
PARADE PARTICIPANTS contact: Heather 250-443-5461
VOLUNTEERScontact: Jim 250-445-6506
