By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – The 100th anniversary of Morinville’s incorporation as a town falls on Apr. 18 and the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society, in conjunction with the Centennial Celebrations Committee, are planning to mark the occasion in style by taking residents back 100 years.
The two groups have organized a three-hour event that will culminate in the re-enactment of the ceremony that gave Morinville town status within the province back in 1911. But that event is surrounded by other sights, sounds and tastes from the era.
“It’s going to be huge. We’re hoping that people will join us for dinner and some musical entertainment,” said Morinville’s Special Event Co-ordinator Peggy Gilchrist, adding the meal will consist of stew and biscuits, a traditional meal of the era that will cost modern day residents just 100 pennies. “After the dinner, there’s also going to be a sugar shack that people can try doing maple syrup on snow.”
Following the centennial culinary combinations, participants will enter the Parish Hall once again for some historical entertainment as well as an overview of Morinville’s first 100 years. Students from Notre Dame Elementary School and Ėcole Georges P. Vanier School will launch the formal portion of the evening with the singing of O Canada in both English and French. The evening will continue with song and historical presentations altering to the actual re-enactment. Musical performances will include Chance Quartet, Paul Smith and Associates and Ed Bulger.
Seating for the event is limited to 230 and people are encouraged to come in period costume if they wish. Those looking to attend the evening’s event are asked to e-mail pgilchrist@morinville.ca to reserve a spot.
Centennial website now online
While the anniversary entertainment will be low tech in accordance with the era, the Town of Morinville’s centennial website is now online, using the latest technology to connect the community with what’s going on for the remainder of Morinville’s centennial year.
Gilchrist said the website has a full list of centennial events and visitors to the website can plot where they are from on an interactive map. “If they are military, they can identify that as well and we’ll flag them with a different flag on the world map,” she said, adding people wishing to share historical pictures can do so through the centennial website. “It’s being updated all the time and there is so much new stuff being added on a weekly basis.”
The website is located at www.Morinville100.ca.
