Our country turns 150 this year but parts of it are much older than that. In fact, if you talk to Canada’s indigenous people, they’ll remind you that this sesquicentennial marks 150 years of colonialism, not confederation. But I digress.
Hamilton marked its own sesquicentennial in 1996 and as co-hosts of the morning show on CHML, John Hardy and I were invited to depict the city’s legendary couple Sir Allan McNab and his wife Mary. As a teenager, Allan fought in the war of 1812. He later built Dundurn Castle, became a lawyer and Premier of Canada West. In other words, he was a big deal. Mary was his second wife.
For our roles, John and I were outfitted in authentic garb at the Castle, now owned by the City of Hamilton. Like Santa Claus, our sleigh (carriage) trailed the parade through downtown Hamilton, riding with Mayor Bob Morrow. Note that Mary’s sunglasses aren’t period correct!
By the end of the parade, John and I were so giddy with fatigue that we traded head-coverings. I wore Sir Allan’s hat while he wore Mary’s bonnet. Sadly, I have no photographic proof.
The celebration was a big deal for Hamilton. For Canada’s 150th the federal government has parceled out extra money for cities to spruce up their party locales. London got a chunk for improvements on the riverfront. In Hamilton, hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent from Dundas to Stoney Creek. Party on, Steel Town.