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September 1993 WEST VANCOUVERHISTORICALSOCIETY Pages COMMUNITY DAY PARADE The weather for this year’s Community Day Parade was just right - warm enough to watch the festivities, but enough cloud cover so that the marchers and players were cool and comfortable. The parade opened, as usual, with hordes of children on foot, bicycles or roUerblades - all having a wonderful time. The Legion Colour Party led, followed by the Cadet Force and our Honourable Parade Marshall, Bill Good, Sr. The Royal Hudson added its familiar “voice” - fortunately in between the bands and what a wealth of every kind of music charmed our ears trom marches and old time jazz to Sentinel’s music of today!! The schools were also out in force and bad done a great job of dressing up both themselves and their chariots; Ridgeview’s dragons were superb - just as well they were in front of West Van’s Library Bookmobile with its happy frog!! The Seniors were not forgotten; they had their own float, complete with feather dusters which looked as if they were still in daily use. Not last, but taking a prominent spotin the parade - ahead of the North Vancouver Juiuor Band - was our Historical Society entry. Generously supplied by owner Byron Briton, a beautifully maintained 1911 Overland heritage car, sporting our Society sign and banners indicating our guest, â- Queen Norma, 1936*. was the subject of much interest Byron, in his heritage outfit of straw hat and striped jacket, acted as chauffeur for Norma Minions (now Hamilton) who was May Queen in 1936. May Day festivities were always held on the 24th of May, or the closest Saturday to that date, but these were discontinued in 1973 and the June Community Day Parades commenced the following year. It would take too long to describe all the other participants, but we cannot omit the Fire Brigade Units, Service Clubs and, especially, the West Van Parks Department with its lovely display -all of whom - as they have done for so many years - worked hard to help make the Parade a morning full of delight for young and old alike. The more hardy among us walked, skated, rode or drove to the Community Centre where the parade finished and which became the hub of activity as the floats and other parade entries dispersed. Queen Nonna was escorted to our Historical Society display in the Music Room of the Seniors Centre, where she was warmly greeted by many old friends and Society volunteers. Prepared by Anne Vernon MEMORIES OF 1936 ^ vemon, By Norma (Minions) Hamilton Norma while "waiting in the wings" beside her beautiful chariot, kindly took time to share some of her memories of1936 with us. Norma remembers 1936 very well as it was such an exciting year for her. First of all she was May Queen for West Vancouver’s May Day Parade - a great honour and one which meant a great deal to her. That year it was a particularly long Parade and the day was very, very hot - so much so that her crown made of wax flowers meltedin the sun!! She was allowed to take off her ermine trimmed white wool cloak and she and her retinue were even given ice cream! She thinks this was to prevent them fainting from the heat! The Master of Ceremonies was Reeve Joe Leyland and Leslie Brooks, the High School teacher, took her around after the crowning to review the cadets. She was the only May Queen to have scarlet-coatedMounties in her Parade and Chief Joe Mathias, of the Squamish Band (in full regalia), presented her with a totem pole, which she still cherishes today. Norma also remembers that West Vancouver won the annual relay race between West and Norfli Vancouver. Only Hollybum and Pauline Johnson Schools were in existence then so it was still possible for the pupils to take part in Maypole dancing. It must have been lovely to see the youngsters, all dressed in bright summer clothes, weaving the many gaily-coloured ribbons around the Maypole, Other recollections - watching the disturbance in the crowds while sitting on the bank across tinm the stage - a snake was the cause! Watching the cables being laid for Lions Gate Bridge - of course this was before the bridge had been built the Ferry “Hollybum” made its maiden voyage that year and there were also recollections of George V, Edward VH (later Duke of Windsor) and George VI. Lots of teas, garden parties (among them our own Legion one) and parades were held, especially in Vancouver as it was their Silver Jubilee. Norma and her attendants were in the Vancouver Jubilee Parade on Labour Day, riding in a horse and carriage. She was presented with a Plaque by Mayor McGeer. All in all 1936 was a memorable year. Does this stir up some of your own memories? If it does, why don’t you share them with us through the Newsletter. We would love to publish your stories and bring back memories of those not-so-far off, but perhaps more peaceful days to our readers. A letter to the Editor, do The West Vancouver Historical Society would be appreciated.