The Royal Canadian Legion began the weekend festivities by hosting their Legion Week celebration on Friday, June 28.
Legion Ambassador Candidate Destiny Earle joined Legion members Doreen Poulsen and Sharon Paterson at an information table where they informed people about the Legion, how to join and take part in it’s events. They also invited people in for the free barbecue provided for the afternoon. A dance was held Friday evening with music provided by Ian Elko.
At 6 p.m., the annual Rotary Parade lead by the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Guard started out Vermilion Avenue and on to Bridge Street.
Fifty-five entrants paraded for residents and visitors throwing candy, T-shirts and the odd water balloon. Entries included locals, visiting Royalty and floats by the 10, 20, 30 and 50 year class reunions.
First prizes went to Vermilion Forks Fitness, Princeton Family Services, China Ridge Riders and the Royal Canadian Legion. Second place ribbons were awarded to Cooper’s Foods, Living Water Community Church, Little Britches Rodeo and to the Crimson Tine Players. Third place ribbons went to Young Life, Bree Lindley and the Princeton & District Agricultural Fair.
After the parade, the Princeton Ambassador Coronation was held at the Riverside Centre. - (See story page 1 of this issue)
On Saturday the festivities began with the Lions Club Annual Pancake Breakfast.
Fern and Ed Goudreau, Anne and Wayne Passey, Gerry St Laurant, Dave Shalanski, Guy Le Comte, John Sandness, Johanna McDonald and Elaine Miller along with helpers; Bob and Colleen Hughes served up 165 breakfasts of pancakes, sausages and tea/coffee.
“It was a great turn-out,” said Lions president Dave Shalanski, “definitely more than last year.”
On Saturday afternoon, the festivities carried on with the 45th run of Princeton Racing Days.
Although the races were delayed by approximately two hours due to an accident with the gate, the crowd hung on and the races began.
By the time the second race was run, Harvey the volunteer who was injured had returned to the track, ready to get back to work. (He was made to rest the remainder of the day.)
Eight races were run, parimutuels packed, and the concession and refreshment garden stayed busy right up till the end of the evening dance with music by Dale Seaman and Highway 97.
Volunteers reported that this had been the “biggest crowd they had seen in a few years.”
“Amazing,” is the word Racing Days president Karrie Crucil used to describe the day. “Everyone was happy—the owners, the trainers, jockeys, volunteers and the public,” she said, everybody had a fantastic day.”
Mrs. Edith Currie was present this year to present the Currie Cup to the winner of the Currie Memorial Derby won by “Alaughatlast” - owned by James Strachan and ridden by Sarah Fredrick. The Currie Cup was donated by Brian Anderson to honour Doug and Laurie Currie, founding members of Princeton Racing Days.
The 42nd run of The Similkameen Cup was won again this year by local horse, “A Lasting Peace” - owned by June Dunte and ridden by Robert V. Skelly. The short but heavy rain storm during the final race did nothing to slow the race and “A Lasting Peace” took the win with ease.
The Similkameen Cup Sweepstakes tickets presented by Princeton Rotary were a hot item during the races as well. The majority of the winners were locals; Janet Banks - $200, Diane Riley - $1000, Roberta Ihler - $300 and $100 each won by Joanne Kovacks, Monty Montgomery, Russ Biagion, Inez Wilkinson and Gloria Gibson.
Weekend celebrations continued through to Sunday with the reunions, the golf tournament and Canada Day fun at the Princeton Museum on Monday followed by a cooling down, fun swim at the Princeton Centennial Pool.