The first visible signs of Maple Ridge’s 150th anniversary celebration are starting to appear, with some bright new street banners.
The city is gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2024 with a series of events and activities, which will include Maple Ridge’s largest-ever community gathering planned for Sept. 14. The event will feature multiple music stages, art installations, family activities, and much more. Event details are being finalized and will be shared in the coming weeks.
There will also be public art and heritage initiatives, including the new street banner designs that have been developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners.
City crews were out putting the new banners up on street posts on Tuesday, April 16, and the work is scheduled to continue downtown next week.
Maple Ridge, situated on the traditional territories of the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations, was incorporated as a district municipality on Sept. 12, 1874, when it became just the sixth local government in the province.
“It is very important to council that our recognition of the city’s 150 years acknowledges the Kwantlen First Nation and the Katzie First Nation as stewards of this land for time immemorial,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “We want to honour the heritage of our community and pay respect to the ancestral traditions that existed long before our government was formed.”
In recognition of the heritage of Indigenous communities and their deep cultural roots, new Maple Ridge 150 street banners will be featured throughout the city. The banners were designed in collaboration with Joshua Carr – a Kwantlen band member - and his partner Amber Oliver.
The new banners were approved by Kwantlen First Nation and Katzie First Nation leadership and will adorn more than 200 banner stands in downtown Maple Ridge and throughout the community, and will be featured on a new special events stage at community events throughout the year.
“Our concept represents our deep connection to the river,” stated Carr and Oliver. “Since time immemorial, our people have travelled and fished the Fraser River to create sustenance and abundance for our communities, as well as build relationships with one another. We wanted to create a design that embodied our traditions, as well as honours the relationship between Kwantlen, Katzie and the City of Maple Ridge.
“Our design uses the river as that connection, representing the bond between the people and the salmon and the harmony of the moon and the tides. We give thanks to all that the river has to offer us.”
There will be a series of Maple Ridge 150 celebrations:
• Rock the Block – May 18 at Tsuyuki Park
• Rock the Block – June 15 at Blaney Hamlet Park
• Canada Day – July 1 at Memorial Peace Park
• Rock the Block – Aug. 10 at Hammond Park
• Special Birthday Celebration – Sept. 14 at Memorial Peace Park and Town Centre
• Celebrate the Night – Oct. 25 at Memorial Peace Park
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Maple Ridge’s rich heritage and bold community spirit with a year of celebrations,” said Ruimy. “Maple Ridge’s 150th anniversary belongs to all of us. This is a big year for the city and we’re looking forward to coming together, celebrating our shared history, and creating lasting memories.”
Through the Maple Ridge Museum and Archives, residents can reflect on the shared history through social media campaigns and interactive exhibits where photos and stories will be shared at www.MapleRidgeMuseum.org.
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