Shawnigan Gala Day Successful

Parade and Sports Attract Many at Island Resort

August 15, 1939

Times -Colonist Archive

SHAWNIGAN LAKE — The Shawnigan Lake Gala Day, held Saturday afternoon on the sports field, proved to be one of the most successful ever staged and attracted a large attendance.

The parade was marshaled by H. E. Hawkings and was led by the Ward Family Band. The procession followed a route through the village and circled the sports field. The following prizes were awarded by the judges:

·       Best float: “Rainbow Review” entered by the S.L.A.A.

·       Second: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” entered by the Junior Dramatic Club.

The best decorated car prize was won by “Miss Cliffside,” an entry from the Cliffside district; second, H. Collings and G. Galland, “Dream Cottage,” and Mrs. A. Layton, “Hunting Lodge.”

Best advertising float was the one entered by the Shawnigan Beach Hotel.

In other adult and junior sections the following were awarded prizes:

·       Best comic: C. Scott, a clown

·       Best decorated bicycle for adults: Nita Luckovitch

·       Best decorated bicycle for children: 1st, Muriel Sam; 2nd, A. Aitken

·       Best home-made costume: 1st, Patsy Gannon; 2nd, Carrol Dyson

·       Best doll buggy prize: Beverley Aitken

·       George Powell, dressed as a peasant girl, won the national costume prize

·       Jean and Donald Joyce were the best couple in fancy dress costumes

Jack Gibson won the prize for the most original entry and A. Powell was second. Evelyn Eddel took first prize for the best saddle horse, Priscilla Grace was second.

The afternoon was taken up with field sports for all ages. During the pole vault, Pat Robertson had the misfortune to fracture two bones in his left arm. He was attended by Dr. George Moore.

A softball game was played between the Victoria Longshoremen and Burns yesterday for a perpetual cup. The Longshoremen won 17 to 7.

Saturday’s program was brought to a close with a dance in the Agricultural Hall.

NOTE:  (Gala Days was an annual community event held every August starting in the early 1900s. This celebration continued until approximately 1941.

The event had a parade of decorated cars, bicycles and floats, with prizes for individual costumes, followed by a program of about 30 to 40 field events, a midway, and usually softball game. The day ended with a big dance at the SLAA hall.)