Canyon celebrating 70 years of Canada Day

By Brian Lawrence
Creston Valley Advance

July 1 marks more than just Canada’s 142nd birthday — it’s also the 70th anniversary of Canyon Park’s first Canada Day celebration.

The first, held in 1939, included a campout, homemade ice cream and Highland dancing.

“It’s been a tradition ever since,” said Canyon Community Association member Simon Lazarchuk. “It’s another way of highlighting and developing a focus on Canyon.”

This year’s celebration will include the Lions Club pancake breakfast, a slo-pitch tournament, bingo and a gymkhana, with a ceremonial cake cutting at noon.

Although few of the original Canyon Canada Day celebrants are still around, Lazarchuk feels that keeping the Canada Day tradition alive is important for all residents.

“People have moved away and many have passed away,” he said. “New people have moved into the community who are not aware of Canyon’s rich history. … This is a way of restoring interest in the special area we call Canyon.”

The 20-acre park was originally private land used for picnicking. In 1939, a group of Canyon residents got together to discuss buying the land. The owners asked $15,000 with a $100 down payment, which was collected at the meeting — residents of Canyon and the rest of the valley donated the balance.

The community association is extending an invitation to the entire valley to join in the Canada Day celebrations, which will help everyone to see why the event is important to continue.

“If people don’t know where we come from, they don’t know what we have and they won’t what we’ve lost,” he said.