Moose Jaw held day of activities marking Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee

When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, the Royal Family, undermined by divorce, illegitimacy and scandal, was not a popular institution.
Sixty years later, Victoria was still Queen; she had reigned longer than any other British monarch and given her name to an entire age. Countries of her worldwide empire were preparing to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.
In the late spring of 1897, when Moose Jaw appeared to be in a state of stagnation over local Jubilee preparations, a concerned resident complained to the Moose Jaw Times: "I notice by the press that nearly every other town in the Territories (now Saskatchewan and Alberta), and in fact the whole Dominion, is making preparations for the celebration of June 22, the day set apart in honour of Queen Victoria's long reign. But Moose Jaw is as yet asleep."
If the town had been dragging its feet in this regard, it soon made up for lost time. "As part of that great Empire, the citizens of Moose Jaw joined in the glad song of praise and although we are as a drop in the ocean, our loyalty can scarcely ever be called into question," observed the Times.
Jubilee Day began in Victoria Schoolyard at High Street East and First Avenue with all students singing the National Anthem followed by "The Maple Leaf" and "May God Preserve Thee Canada." The Union Jack was run up the mast, the Rifle Association fired a three-volley salute, and the procession started along High Street toward Main led by Capt. H. Hubbell, a veteran of the 1885 North-West Rebellion, mounted on a white charger.
Following Capt. Hubbell were members of the Cycle Club, the Stony Beach Band and the Rifle Association.
Then came the school children, the older pupils leading and the little ones bringing up the rear, each carrying a Jubilee flag donated by Robinson and Hamilton, Moose Jaw's newest department store.
A large number of children joined the procession making it "the longest and most successful ever witnessed in Moose Jaw."
The afternoon was devoted to sports of all kinds: pole vaulting, running and standing jumps, sack races, bicycle races and foot races. The tug-of-war event and tossing the caber were cancelled due to lack of participants.
In the evening, almost all Moose Jaw assembled along the river banks for the aquatic sports. In the double canoe race - one-quarter mile upstream and back - the two entrants collided on the turn, necessitating a fresh start.
Another collision occurred at the same spot but the canoes kept on going and finished the course.
The "greasy pig" event was great fun for everyone but the pig. In an attempt to elude a mob of pursuers, it was caught in the wheel of a rig and experienced a couple of turns before freeing itself.
Hiram Cline of Belbeck eventually caught the animal and took it home.
An evening fireworks display took place at the Main and High Street intersection, beginning with the illuminations at nine o'clock.
"Many a skyrocket shot through the darkness," recorded the Times, "and a big illuminated kite was also sent up which made its way eastward and was watched until out of sight."
A huge bonfire followed the fireworks and brought an end to the day's festivities.
"The day of celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Victoria, Queen and Empress, has passed away," commented the local Times.
"It will long be remembered by the people of Moose Jaw as one of the most pleasant of their lives."
The Diamond Jubilee and even Victoria's death date (Jan. 12, 1901), are now beyond living memory, but the Victorian Age still fascinates many.
There are those who like living in Victorian houses with gables, gingerbread, porches, bay windows with crocheted tie-back curtains, and parlours full of bric-a-brac. Restaurants advertise "Victorian-themed menus."
People plant Victorian gardens and visit Victorian teahouses. They read Victorian novels and watch their enactments on television.
And some Canadian communities such as Fort Perry, Ont., advertise "Come stroll through the picturesque streets of our Victorian downtown."
Even Queen Victoria's birthday, May 24, remains a national holiday known as Victoria Day, now celebrated on the first Monday prior to her actual birth date.