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Ninety-one years of May Days in Boston Bar

Parade and party Saturday part of community tradition stretching back to royalty

May Days in Boston Bar has been celebrated since 1927, and the only time the community took a break was during the war years.

One of the communities rivaling Boston Bar’s May Days legacy is New Westminster, whose May Day has been happening for 148 years. Then there’s Kaslo, population 968, with a May Days stretching back 126 years to 1892. And closer to home, Port Coquitlam’s has been ongoing for 95 years.

In a community like Boston Bar, which has weathered a population decrease to around 300 today within the town itself and around 600 with surrounding areas included, Terry Raymond said, keeping this event going is a testament to the community and those who call Boston Bar home.

“Volunteers, community spirit, they love it,” are why the event has had such staying power says Terry Raymond, elected representative for the town. The celebration used to stretch for days and encompass several communities including North Bend and Anderson Creek.

True to form, the May Day queen was crowned at Saturday’s event, Sophie Olsen now becomes an ambassador to the community. “Make sure you smile and always wear your sash when you’re at certain things like the seniors’ dinner or Remembrance Day,” said last year’s queen Kaitlynn Rogers, advice for the incoming royalty. And prepare to be given last minute notice to attend events, she added.

“I’m looking forward to doing more things around the community, getting out more, being more of an active person around the community,” said newly crowned queen Olsen.


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