Three days of celebrations marked the 150th anniversary of Langley Township over the weekend, with events held at multiple locations Friday through Sunday, Aug. 25 to 27 to commemorate the official year of incorporation, 1873 (the exact date was April 26 in that year).
Festivities started Friday with Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel and Mayor Eric Woodward and council at Willoughby Community Park for the unveiling of Coast Salish artwork that will be installed in the plaza area this fall. There were outdoor activities and sports, live music and food trucks.
Then, at the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre on Saturday, the occasion was marked by water fights, with police and fire taking on dozens of youngsters at the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience.
What better way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Township of Langley than a police and fire water fight at Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre at the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/ImSFk2ktEj
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) August 26, 2023
As the combatants soaked each other, yelling with delight, organizer Tristan Taylor was doing his best to duck as he explained that he first had the idea for a water fight, while he was working as a lifeguard. But, the pandemic forced a delay.
“Now that restrictions are gone, we thought we would really kick off something special in collaboration with the Township 150th,” Taylor explained.
150th Anniversary of the Township of Langley is being celebrated at Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (noon to 6pm), with inflatables, food trucks, a public skate (two times) and the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience. pic.twitter.com/a3tDbuuWM8
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) August 26, 2023
Both the fire department and Langley RCMP showed up for the watery warfare at the “Big Top” spray park attraction, wielding super soakers and getting hosed.
“It’s an absolute riot out here,” Taylor smiled. “It’s a real blast.”
150th Anniversary of the Township of Langley is being celebrated at Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (noon to 6pm), with inflatables, food trucks, a public skate (two times) and the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience. pic.twitter.com/Qgp9hDavbd
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) August 26, 2023
Elsewhere the community centre was holding a public skate, and a section of the parking lot was taken over by bouncy castles and other inflatable play areas for kids, along with food trucks.
Staff were distributing free UV-protective sunglasses and commemorative pens.
150th Anniversary of the Township of Langley is being celebrated at Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (noon to 6pm), with inflatables, food trucks, a public skate (two times) and the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience. pic.twitter.com/qHezDe8g3i
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) August 26, 2023
Kevin Muirhead, acting corporate events manager for the Township of Langley, in charge of the 150th anniversary celebrations, said the centre was more than 95 per cent booked for that day.
“Saturday is our recreation day [of the anniversary events],” Muirhead explained.
“Everything is packed and full, so this is great.”
There was also a public skate in the Aldergrove centre’s rink.
On the same day, George Preston Recreation Centre had a public skate, and public swimming was scheduled at the Walnut Grove Community Centre.
Muirhead described Sunday as the “big one,” a family fun festival at Walnut Grove Community Park, with dignitaries attending the official commemorative ceremony, food trucks, beer and cider, and live music.
READ ALSO: Langley Township celebrates 150 years since date of incorporation
An online post by Mayor Woodward noted the Township was one of the oldest municipalities in the province, one that “started out with 295 people and [is] now at about 155,000 or so.”
“As we move forward today with continuing to build and invest in our community, our history is important to know and appreciate,” Woodward commented.
“And reading it and studying it, I am certainly grateful to call the Township of Langley my home and acknowledge those that came before us and had it a lot harder than we do.”
More about the Township’s 150 year history can be found online at tol.ca.
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