On Sunday, September 8, residents of Niverville poured into Hespeler Park to mark the fiftieth anniversary since the town’s incorporation back in 1969. The day drew a large crowd that is estimated to have been about 1,500 people, and no doubt the warm weather and sunshine contributed to the event’s success.   

The celebration began with a community church service in the morning that brought together people from all different walks of life.

“The morning service, which was put on by the Niverville Ministerial, was very well done,” says Mayor Myron Dyck. “It was history combined with the spiritual side of life and how it was that the Indigenous, the Scottish, the English, the Mennonites, and the French all came to be to this area.”

According to organizer Roger Armbruster, Alisa Tina Moose recited a rendition of the Lord’s Prayer in the Oji-Cree language, accompanied by her native hand drum. Metis elder also Lucy Guiboche spoke to the crowd about the history of the land and its original inhabitants before the European settlers arrived.

Dyck likened the service to a Thanksgiving event, in that an emphasis was placed on expressing gratitude and blessings for the land. Local farmer Ken Krahn even got up to speak about the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the work that organization does to grow food locally and send it to areas of the world in need.

“There was quite a bit of just being thankful for the land we have here and the abundance that is provides,” says Dyck.

Local recording artist Jordan St. Cyr handled the worship service, and afterward the Ministerial sponsored a lunch of farmer sausage patties, frybread, and bannock. Niverville Recreation says that 950 people showed up for the meal.

In the afternoon, activities sprang up for people of all ages. There were large bouncers for the kids, bubble soccer, an obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, Sumo-wrestling suits, spikeball, an Accurate Shooter setup from Clipper Ice Sports, circuit training courtesy of the Niverville Skating Club, and presentations by the Niverville Soccer Club and Youth Baseball Club. Face-painters, balloon artists, and a glitter tattoo booth were all on hand, as well as fire truck tours by Niverville Fire and Emergency Services.

“The comments I heard from people were that they were very appreciative of the number of activities for families,” says Dyck. “It wasn’t just for the six and under [crowd], but also for the six and over. There were even things that teenagers could get involved in.”

Live entertainment under the main tent included a full musical set by Jordan St. Cyr, performances by Prairie Soul Dance, the comedic stylings of Matt Falk, and music from local trio Wildflower.

Niverville Bigway and the Heritage Centre then teamed up with local firefighters to provide dinner, serving 850 people.

The evening ended with a magnificent fireworks display lighting up the darkened sky.

“The fireworks exceeded our expectations,” Angela Janz of Niverville Recreation. “We actually got a special show, as these particular types are new to Manitoba. I think residents were very impressed with the show and that was definitely a highlight!”

Janz adds that they couldn’t have asked for a better day, and that ever since Sunday she’s been receiving comments both online and in person about how much people appreciated the opportunity to come together for an event that was really “for Niverville.”

“I think it was also a great time to just discover Hespeler Park, because there were those who hadn’t been there,” says Dyck. “People were saying ‘I had no idea the path was lit, I had no idea the parking lot was lit.’ Because they come during the day, right? Or they hadn’t seen the new play area by the splash pad that’s been done now, or they could take in the interpretative centre… So it was kind of a nice chance to show off Hespeler Park.”

Dyck points out that the town would like to bring more events to the park, and give people more reasons to visit. Evens so, he says that if they were to throw a community party like this one every year, it might lose its impact.

“Town staff oversaw the entire day, so kudos to all of town staff,” Dyck adds. “There’s a lot of them that were working on that Sunday, as well as being involved in the planning for the many days leading up to it.”