PRINC GEORGE Vol. 2; No. 159 PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1958 SOUVENIR ISSUE THE CHARGE--- Climax Of The RCMP Musical Ride � Ken Orr Photo Choppy Water Delays Start By Citizen Reporter FORT ST. JAMES � Fifteen canoes slipped into the choppy waters of Stuart Lake at dawn today an hour behind schedule on the treacherous, 139-mile journey to Prince George. Their take-off was held up by brisk winds which stirred the surface of the wide, beautiful, tourist-haunted lake. The sharp breeze, combined with a heavy pall of early morn kt i ing ing darkness, kept anxious crowds waiting for the departure. An estimated 35 participants and race officials took in a large breakfast at 3 a.m. today sponsored by the ladies of this community. They had fried eggs, bacon, hotcakes and coffee. The canoes went Into the water at 0:10 a.m., an hour after (hoy were scheduled to disembark on the race which holds a jackpot of $1000 plus trophies which bring the total value to well over $2000. The leaders of the race were expected to sweep to the finish line at Fort George park about 0 p.m. today but all indications i\ve they .will now arrive between "and 8 p.m. Fort. St. James "Chief Quaw Day" got otl l0 a colprful start today-with the launching of the historic North canoe flotilla. West Brigade At ltast half the residents of army. this community; about 2000, gathered at the lakeshore to sec the canoeists off. Sawmill crews which had just got off shift also came to the scene and children climbed tall poplar trees for a good view of the proceedings. But today residents at the "Fort" will see plenty of canoeing. They will watch canoe-dumping, canoe-racing and other water sports in honor of the occassion which has the blessing of Chief j Quaw, head of Fort St. James Indians. Police said they were expecting "a busy day." Canoemen in the race will see one of the mp.st colorful parts of B.C. They will cross the wide, sweeping waters of Stuart Lake, travel down the swift Stuart River and. sec the steep, crag-faced banks of the Neehako. Sharp canyon on the river has been artificially illuminated for safety reasons. The pilot boat is carrying a portable radio in tlie event of an emergency. Its signals arc picked up in prince George by the A lavish program of entertainment for tin- whole family will be presented here tomorrow to mark the first of an annual series of Prince George Days and the climax of the city's centennial year celebrations. So that all can participate in the festival. Mayor Carrie Jane Gray proclaimed the day a public holiday. Following tlio giant festival parade through the town, which starts at noun, a program of outdoor entertainments will get underway at 2:30 p.m. at Fort George Park ami run until 11 p.m. or later. Catering raciiitles, Including a full barbecue supper, will enable families to spend the whole afternoon and evening at the park, without having to return home for meals. Centennial officials have given their assurance that there will ho no long line-ups but that refreshments wijl be served promptly, Highlight of the evening will be the monster centennial pageant "from "Wilderness to Wonderland". A cast of over a hundred will j re-enact colorful episodes from I British Columbia's history on! a stage that is believed to be the best of its kind in Canada. Certain spectacular lighting effects have never boon seen h Canada A small totem-pole will be presented to Mayor Carrie Jane Gray by a representative of the Mayor of North Vancouver at a ceremony between 7 and S p m tomorrow at Fort George Park before.' � 'Dunroamln' If Is! Sod will lie turned at (lie site of the new "Diinroninin" home for senior citizens tomorrow at -:'.W p.m. I'lincc George Senior Citizens Society official Cy West-uwa.v reported today the name for the housing development was chosen last night. It was suggested by Miss F.li/.alsetli LcGallais, 277 Fifteenth Avc. She wins a $10 prize- Hon. Kay Willislon, minis-t�i- of lniul<< and forests will officiate nt the ceremony at I Tenth A.V.c; and Ahrartl St. ! Here is a resume of the program for tomorrow's Prince George Day celebrations. CENTENNIAL TRAP SHOOT 10 a.m. until dusk, Fort George Park Events in the North Central Zone Championship matches are open to the general public with the exception of one event, a 100-bird single. GIANT CENTENNIAL FESTIVAL PARADE 12:00 Noon. The most spectacular parade ever seen in Prince George � floats, bands, comic entries, and the famed KCMP musical ride. Route is shown elsewhere on this page. OLD TIMERS BANQUET 1:00 p.m. Prince George Hotel Old-timers of Prince George have been invited to this banquet in their honor. WATER CARNIVAL 2:.">0 p.m. Fort George Park A display of water-ski-ing on the Frajser will be given by members of the Canadian Water Ski Association. FRONTIER BARBECUE SUPPER .1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mine to music in the Fort George Park where, barbecued beef will be served. DEDICATION OF FORT GEORGE PARK 7:00 p.m. Park will be dedicated by Aurora 1. Queen of the Evergreens, Lynn Alexander. PRESENTATION OF CANOE RACE TROPHIES 7:15 p.m. Presentation will be made by 14-year-old John Fotos, son of trophy-donator Chris Fotos. who is unable to make the presentation because of illness. CANOE RACE DRAW 7:20 p.m. ' % ' �� PRESENTATION TO CLTY About 7:.'J0 ROUTE FOR the Giant Centennial Festival Parade, above, will be cleared of all vehicles before noon tomorrow, when the parade moves off. Parade moves down Victoria to Third, George and Seventh. The more than mile-long procession includes five bands: the Prince George Rotary Pipe Band, the Rocky Mountain Rangers Band, Dawson Creek Legion Pipe Band, R.M.R. Cadet Band and the Quesnel Legion Pipe band. Clowns, floats, drum majorettes and novelties will make up the most spectacular parade ever seen in the city. Parade will muster on Ross Crescent and will be in position for judging by 10 a.m. Judges will be the Hon. Ray Williston, Miss Inga Anderson and Mrs. Gcorgina MacLcan. 'Cariboo Special' Chugs In From San Francisco in Prince George tomorrow the centennial festivities. A irainloa'd of U.S. business- There arc a total of lo ears in men and industry promoters will the train. '. Meanwhile last night L. H. Dugan, vice-president of the Mil-waukce Road and' a party 61 company executives entertained lumbermen. Mr. Dugan travelled to Prince George'-aboard his private railway car "The Montana" and left for Vancouver early today. He is travelling with P. J. Cullen. western traffic manager of. the Milwaukee, E. C. Chapman Vancouver general* agent and Paul Pearson, general man- See PROGRAM', Poge 3 /: .^;rr..,. Hint. They will be the guests who are travelling the "Cariboo Country Special" from Kan Francisco to Prince Rupert* .Special train is o.\cpectcd to arrive ni this c'l-v at 3 P-111- to-morrow and leave at . 11 p.m. They will take In the RCMP Musical Ride, Wilderness to Wonderland pageant and other celebrations at Fort George Park The train travelled through Prince George early today on its way to Prince Rupert and other western centers on the CNR "MAYOR LOOKS BACK" � "The Mayor Looks Back," on Page 12 of this special issue, in written by prince George's Mayor. Mrs. Carrie Jane Gray. It is an informative entertaining commentary on the early history of the area and its councils. The Mayor, however does not think the term "Rather slapstick early administration" in yesterday's. Citizen is right. She says she certainly meant no disrespect -to-the excellent ager of the Fuss Launch and Tug work of the preceding city coun- Co. .of. Seattle, .cils.