Hundreds of people – including 50 newly minted citizens – celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday in Fort 91Ô´´ on Saturday.
Citizenship Judge Gerald Pash led 50 people from 33 countries through the oath of citizenship, the final step to becoming a Canadian.
The new Canadians were accompanied by friends and family who snapped photos and took video on their phones of the big moment.
After applause – and cake – the new citizens headed out to join the large crowds celebrating inside the Fort 91Ô´´ National Historic Site and beyond.
The biggest events in the Fort were taking place around the 91Ô´´ Centennial Museum and the B.C. Farm Museum.
Stilt walkers, clowns, a petting zoo, live entertainment including dancers and musicians, and a fast draw shooting demonstration were held along with old-time traditional events like potato sack races.
New Canadians took the oath of citizenship. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)New Canadians took the oath of citizenship. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Kwantlen First Nation Chief Marilyn Gabriel spoke at the swearing in ceremony for 50 new Canadians. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Kunda African Culture, Music, and Dance performed. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Kunda African Culture, Music, and Dance performed. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Everyone wanted to get their photo taken next to the artillery piece. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Darren Kostinuk, a former Royal Canadian Artillery bombardier, showed 91Ô´´ RCMP officer Sandagar Teja an M109A4 self propelled artillery piece. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Five year old Bailey Senften received a balloon animal at the 91Ô´´ Centennial Museum. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)Daryl Dix and his daughter Kathleen tried out the potato sack race at the 91Ô´´ Centennial Museum. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)A fast draw competition was held on King Street. (Matthew Claxton/91Ô´´ Advance)
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