Up to 60,000 take in city Canada Day celebrations
Alan Lowe enjoyed Victoria’s Spirit of 150 celebrations so much he might become involved when Canada celebrates its 175 birthday, 25 years from now.
“But in 50 years, for sure, I won’t be involved,” said the chair of the Greater Victoria Spirit Society Committee, which organized Victoria’s Canada Day festivities.
An estimated 60,000 people packed the Inner Harbour, from Ship Point to the B.C. legislature for the Canada Day celebration. Lowe recalled with wonder the Canada Day fireworks lighting up the night sky on Saturday.
“At the end, with the fireworks going off in time to the music of O Canada, it was wonderful. It was a moment when everybody was just in awe. I had a smile on my face,” said Lowe.
“It was a great evening for Victoria. It seems like everyone had a great time in the Inner Harbour. Everything went well.”
Victoria police, who were helped out by neighbouring police departments and B.C. sheriffs, had no major issues, said Const. Matt Rutherford. A couple of missing children were quickly reunited with their families. Nineteen people were arrested in the downtown core.
The noticeable police presence was helpful in creating a much safer event and more of a family event, said Lowe. People felt safe.
The 12-member committee which organized the event will probably debrief in the fall, Lowe said.
In hindsight, the 11-day event may have been too much of a good thing, especially because the TD Jazz Festival was taking place at the same time, he said.
“But we wanted to take a look at and see how we could make a festival that started with National Aboriginal Day on June 21 and went all the way through to Canada Day. It gave us a chance to have different types of music every night at Ship Point’s Harbour Stage and more opportunities for the cultural associations to have their dancers perform on the stages. It also allowed for people to come down on the various days when they wanted to,” said Lowe.
The biggest bang for the buck was having the Main Stage events on Friday and Saturday when more people were free. But even on weekdays, there was a good crowd, said Lowe.
Many First Nations did not want to be involved in the 150th celebration, Lowe said. He has heard word of a small protest on the legislature lawn Saturday afternoon.
“We looked at any protest and said give them some opportunity to protest because it is a free democracy. We respect what the First Nations chiefs may have wanted to do for their people. But on Saturday, we were able to bring in the war canoes races for the first time in 100 years.”
Next year, Lowe will hand the Canada Day celebrations back over to the City of Victoria.
The event cost $750,000 for the 11 days. The federal government contributed $400,000. The City of Victoria provided huge support with in-kind services and staff, said Lowe. And the rest of the money came from corporate sponsors. Coast Capital Savings, which provided more than 5,000 T-shirts for the living flag, was one of the biggest sponsors.
“I think it was our biggest crowd ever for Canada Day,” said Lowe. “After the fireworks, Government Street looked like an after-grad party. Generally, over the 11 days, it was great for the community and good to be a part of.”