Recent History – 2002
April 8, 2002
POUCE COUPE — It’s going to be an extra-special and extra-large Canada Day celebration at Pouce Coupe this July 1st.
Following the parade in the morning and the barbecue in the afternoon, the celebration will continue that evening along main street where a main stage and bleachers will be set up.
Events being planned include a barbecue cook-off, featuring products from the Peace region, followed by an auction to sell the meals.
A Queen Elizabeth pageant and an old army-style canteen. A carnival, can-can girls, a fiddler hoe-down, a magic show, puppet shows, and a story telling contest are also in the works.
Capping the celebration will be an expanded fireworks show. Entitled “Rhapsody In the Sky” the show will be put on by Jerry Lawrence and Al Cameron, and will be set to music.
Speaking to the chamber of commerce on Thursday, Cameron said that it’s being advertised as the largest fireworks show in the Peace Country.
Cameron said he also wants to see the parade expanded. “No matter how big or small, you should take part and make it happen,” he said.
Not only is it the 60th anniversary of the Alaska Highway but it’s the 70th anniversary of Pouce Coupe, and in that spirit, several other initiatives are being pursued this spring and summer.
Emanuel Machado gave a run-down:
– Banners depicting the pioneer experience, painted by local artists, will be put up.
– Repairs are being made to the museum and to the Legion hall to keep them open for years to come.
– With the help of local volunteers, such as the scouts, the Riverview cemetery will be upgraded.
– The area behind Pouce Coupe Elementary is being converted into a multi-purpose area for activities like skateboarding and maybe tennis in the summer and for skating, hockey and possibly outdoor curling in the winter.
– The Mud Dawgs and Trailblazers have reached a lease agreement with the Village for use of the field near the ball diamonds. The club will host events there, starting with mud bogging on the Canada Day long weekend.
- An art show looking back on 70 years of Pouce Coupe will be held this summer. A date is still to be set.