City celebrating 225th birthday today
Published Tuesday May 18th, 2010
Kate Braydon, Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN - Say happy 225th birthday to Canada's original city.
The finishing touches are put on the sidewalk around a new clock on the corner of King and Prince William streets Monday. The clock will be unveiled today.
Saint John became an incorporated city on this day, 225 years ago, when the settlements of Carleton and Parrtown united and a royal charter was signed. Lisa Hrabluk, executive director of Saint John 225, says Saint Johners are in for the busiest Tuesday in the city's history.
"I think it's a great day to take pride in Saint John and in the story of the people of Saint John. It is Canada's original city and what I think is so neat about Saint John is it has such an interesting story and such a diverse story," Hrabluk said, outlining the various stages of the city's early history, from Mi'kmaq civilizations to Acadian and Loyalist settlements.
Every stage of Saint John's history will be on display today in a non-stop showcase of politics, artifacts, cultures, art and people.
The celebrations begin at 9 a.m. when the New Brunswick Museum opens its doors for an admission-free day of story telling, music and pieces of history. Acadian fiddle music will cause toes to tap throughout Market Square in the afternoon and the Chinese Cultural Association will be holding an Asian heritage exhibition.
Rose Poirier, program manager at the museum, called the teamwork between Saint John 225 and the museum a "beautiful partnership."
"(Visitors) will soon understand how being the provincial holder of the early stories of this region, that people can gain history-come-to-life insight by looking at the object that we're actually held and used by the early peoples in the region, from First Nations through the French arrival, through to the Loyalist arrival," Poirier said, adding that there will be a temporary exhibition celebrating the life of Saint John's first mayor, Gabriel George Ludlow.
The Saint John Free Public Library will also have the original royal charter on display for public viewing throughout the day.
At the intersection of Prince William and King streets, a new city landmark, an old-fashioned street clock, will be unveiled at 10 a.m., followed by a Loyalist ceremony across the street at City Hall at 10:30 a.m.
Saint John's 225th birthday will culminate in a gigantic celebration with a cast of 400 people at Harbour Station at 7 p.m. The show, entitled Making History: An Original City Production, will feature dancing, singing and acting from some of the city's rising stars. Directed by Kate Elman Wilcott and choreographed by Marcia Cysart, the show will also feature a parade of Saint John's many cultural groups and an original song composed and performed by local artist Clinton Charlton and his band, the Formers.
"It really is about celebrating the many stories in Saint John," Hrabluk said. "My hope is whatever perspective you bring to Saint John, you will see yourself reflected somewhere in (today's) celebrations."
The Saint John 225 executive director said she believes that today is the day for city residents to play hooky and enjoy the celebrations.
"I think kicking off the anniversary celebrations is a great way to start the summer because it's the day to wear your pride on your sleeve and come out and celebrate your city. ...What better way to spend a beautiful, sunny spring day than going to a big party?"
Admission to all events is free. For more information, visit www.saintjohn225.com.