Photo Glenn Fallis.
Pictured are the canoes lined up to participate in the Centennial Canoe Pageant organized as part of the Centennial celebrations in 1967.
The year 1967, marking the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, was jam-packed with special events and celebrations.
The country was in the party mood, and ready to show the world what we were made of. What better way could there be to demonstrate our true mettle than to feature the greatest canoe race the world had ever seen?
In 1969, Glenn Fallis founded the Voyageur Canoe Company in Millbrook, to put to good use the experience of being one of the paddlers in that greatest of canoe races. It also gave Glenn a means to live out his passion for canoeing.
This Friday evening, November 1, join MCHS in welcoming Glenn as our featured speaker at the Millbrook Legion Hall. While, no doubt, tales will be told of whitewater canoeing adventures from the French River to the River Po in Italy, the focus will be the extraordinary 5,283 km trip from Rocky Mountain House in Alberta to the Expo 67 site in Montreal. Ten teams from eight provinces and two territories tackled choppy waters and almost 110 km of portages over 104 days. Yes, it made the Guinness Book of Records!
All are welcome. Doors open at 6:45, with admission free for MCHS members, and by donation for guests.
By Celia Hunter