What a celebration
Published Wednesday May 19th, 2010
Sherry Hinkley, Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN - Canada's oldest incorporated city got a little bit older Tuesday.
Standing in front of a new clock unveiled on King Street on Tuesday are, from left, Senator John Wallace, Mayor Ivan Court, Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas and John Irving, president of Commercial Properties Limited, who presented the timepiece to the city.
Standing in front of a new clock unveiled on King Street on Tuesday are, from left, Senator John Wallace, Mayor Ivan Court, Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas and John Irving, president of Commercial Properties Limited, who presented the timepiece to the city.
The uptown was brimming with birthday spirit as visiting and local dignitaries, cultural groups and everyday citizens took to the streets to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the city's royal charter signing.
From the opening strains of music by St. Mary's Band in the morning, to the musical and dramatic Making History production at night, the day was full of celebration.
The city unveiled its latest landmark in the morning, a clock given to Saint John by Commercial Properties Limited president John Irving.
"If you take a look at the clock that Mr. Irving, John Irving, donated to the city to celebrate our 225th birthday, it was a great present because we are connected by time and our past and our future," Mayor Ivan Court said, remarking on the blend of old and new history on display at the anniversary celebrations.
The city's birthday year also began with a bang Tuesday morning as the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment fired off a 21-gun salute at Pugsley Wharf. The sound of the booming cannons rang out over the water and echoed through the uptown streets.
A Loyalist ceremony was held in front of City Hall, complete with a flag raising, a re-enactment of the signing of the charter, the laying of flowers and a city-sized birthday slab cake.
"It is important to mark these milestones, because civic pride is so important," said Premier Shawn Graham, who was on hand for the day's events.
He said that 225 years ago, "our founding fathers had a vision to create the city of Saint John and from that today we've seen our province grow and prosper because of the wealth that's been generated here in this region."
He said that his day of celebration in the city was one of a little work and a lot of pleasure.
"Today is a huge day to just wish everyone a happy birthday and, at the same time, to recognize from where we've come, but also the future before us. And, as premier, I am extremely proud of the diversity of cultures that have called Greater Saint John home."
The afternoon featured a full schedule ranging from Acadian fiddle music to arts and crafts at the New Brunswick Museum.
The royal charter was also on display at the Saint John Free Public Library under a glass case and guarded by police.
Court estimated that the charter is only brought out for public viewing every 25 years.
He reflected on the city's long history and the historians who were present at the event to tell it.
"There (are) good stories to tell and we have some great historians here in Saint John to tell those stories. Most of them can trace their ancestry back," Court said.
"We're all connected by history and our lives are intertwined and overlapping."
Steve Stein and Tom Cormier, playing the role of privateers, escorted the mayor and the premier from the 21-gun salute at Pugsley Wharf to the library, where officials and historians told stories about the city, its history and the charter. Stein and Cormier were outfitted in 1700s privateer garb and included a few playful "arrghhs" in their sentences.
They were enthusiastic about the celebrations and happy to help Saint Johners get enthusiastic too.
"How much value can you put on supporting your city?" Cormier asked, as he and his co-worker joked and sparred with play swords.
Lisa Hrabluk, executive director of Saint John 225, said she was very happy with how the celebrations went throughout the day and advised Saint Johners to keep their eyes and ears open for more anniversary celebrations throughout the summer and coming year.