By Andrea Arnold
McBride will once again be abuzz with activity over the first weekend of June as the annual Pioneer Days event takes over town.
Event organizer Kathy Molendyk says most of the regular favourites will return, some with a slightly different look.
“The Royal Purple Food Booth has some structural issues and cannot be moved onto the site this year,” said Molendyk. “Instead, we will be running a concession out of the Elks Hall.”
The long activity list uses locations spread all over town. The Slo-pitch tournament, events at Steve Kolida Park, the Elks Hall, train station, and Evangelical Free Church at the south of Main street, the empty lots by the museum and the fire hall at the north end of the street and events held in conjunction with the high school reunion at the Robson Valley Recreation Centre.
“The weekend will look very similar to last year,” says Molendyk. “We are holding a Silent Auction that will include craft items as well as services up for bid. The location has not been set as of yet. I have been talking to a few people about some new additions, but nothing has been finalized.”
Molendyk says that as always, they are still looking for some volunteers to help the weekend be successful. Specifically, they are looking for someone to coordinate the children’s activities and people with “Serving it Right” to work the bar at the dance.
The Elks and Royal Purple are co-hosting the Saturday night dance along with the reunion attendees. Tickets are not only available as part of the reunion package, but also separately. The $15 tickets are available at the Information Centre and Welcome Home in McBride.
The parade on Saturday morning is open to all. There is no requirement to pre-register. Anyone who wants to can participate.
Charlene Jones-Dickson is one of the reunion organizers. On Saturday June 3rd, the doors to the Recreation Centre will open at 4:30 for a social hour, dinner begins at 5:30 and the dance at 9:00pm.
“The reunion is open to anyone who attended, graduated or was staff for all years up to and including 1990,” said Dickson. “The deadline to purchase the $50 reunion tickets is May 12th. They can be purchased at Welcome Home, or by e-transfer to [email protected] (password – reunion).”
Dickson is available to answer questions at that same email address or by phone 205-614-4874. “There will be door prizes, 50/50 draw, cash bar and a tonne of fun,” she said. “All net proceeds will be donated to the Elks/Royal Purple.”
