Countdown to Rivermania and BC150 Begins

by John Yap, MLA Richmond-Steveston
(Steveston, BC Canada)

One year from today, a flotilla of boats will be arriving at the mouth of the Fraser River as Steveston plays host to one of the flagship events celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia.

The event, dubbed Rivermania, begins in August, 2008, with the flotilla travelling down the Fraser River and stopping at communities along the way to honour the Fraser River and its Peoples. As well as marking 150 years since B.C.'s founding as a colony, it will also recognize the 200th anniversary of Simon Fraser's exploration of the Fraser River.

"The Fraser River has played an important role in the development of our province for hundreds of years, and is an enduring symbol of British Columbia. That's why Rivermania is one of the flagship celebrations happening in 2008 to mark BC150," said Yap, MLA for Richmond Steveston. "This one-of-a-kind event will be an incredible opportunity for residents to come out and celebrate the 150 years of B.C.'s history, and to reflect on the opportunities as our province and its people continue to grow and discover new opportunities over the next 150 years."

The boats will leave Prince George on August 24 and will arrive in Steveston on September 28, which is also B.C. Rivers Day. The flotilla will stop in river communities, where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members will together honour the Fraser River and celebrate local history and culture.

The current list of participating communities includes Prince George, Quesnel, Soda Creek, Williams Lake, Lillooet, Lytton, Boston Bar, Yale, Hope, Mission, Harrison Hot springs, Sto'lo, Abbotsford, Fort Langley, New Westminster, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, Surrey, Delta, and Steveston..

"Rivermania is a celebration of the culture, the history, and the people of communities all along the length of the Fraser River," said Georgia Katz, Rivermania organizer and Richmond resident. "It is also an opportunity to draw more tourism and drive economic growth in communities like Steveston."

For more information about Rivermania and other BC150 events, visit the BC150 web site at www.bc150.gov.bc.ca.