Durham Regional Historica Fair 2007
On April 12, 2007 the Honourable Bev Oda, then Minister of Canadian Heritage and His Worship Dave Ryan, Mayor of Pickering opened the Durham Regional Historica Fair at Pickering Museum Village.
Regional Historica Fairs are vibrant community celebrations presenting heritage-related activities, educational workshops, cultural performances, and guest speakers. They involve local museums, historical associations, businesses and multicultural groups, together with young people.
Part of the Historica activities consist of displays made by students relating to Canadian and community heritage for adjudication and display to the public. This provides a learning experience for young people and a way to share their stories with the community. Since the Historica Fairs Program began in 1993 it has grown to include more than 263,000 students across Canada each year.
At the Durham Regional Historica Fair, about 200 students from across Durham Region took part as well as volunteers, teachers, parents and guests.
Summer and Chelsea, seen in the above picutre, did a fine job as Masters of Ceremony for the event and everyone enjoyed the animated introductions. Chantel sang O Canada to open the event. Speaches followed.
Presentations were spread throughout the Pickering Museum Village and the Greenbank Community Centre. Six student participants went on to represent Durham Region at the provincial level Historica Fair held in Ottawa, Canada's captal city, from May 16th to 20th. There were 100 students chosen to present their works from across the province, representing 22 regional sites.
His Worship, David Ryan, Mayor of Pickering commented on the role history plays in giving a community its roots and building on its heritage. He said the City of Pickering is happy to have the Pickering Museum Village and its active volunteers as a part of Pickering's growing community. A strong foundation on which to move forward.
The Honourable Bev J. Oda, MP Durham, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women asked the children present in the audience, What is the difference is between 'history' and 'heritage'?" She also commented on the event and what goes into the planning of Historica Fairs. She was presented with a booklet in honour of the event.
In her speach she included, "We believe the Historica Fairs help to increase the literacy and citizenship skills of all students.
By taking on the roles of historian and storyteller, each of you can gain the confidence and skills you will need to one day take your place in Canadian society and meet the challenges of a new century. ....My congratulations as well to the more than 10,000 volunteers each year across Canada who help to make the Fairs program a success."
Next on the program was, Luigia Ayotte, Superintendent of Education/Programs/Staff Development Durham District School Board who praised the students for all the work they had put into thier displays and invited everyone to browse through the displays afterwards at the Greenwood Community Centre beside the Pickering Museum Village.
Trina McQueen O.C., of the Historica Foundation gave a heartfelt speach about Historica and how it helps youth in Canada. She said she is extremely proud of Canada's youth and how many participants there are each year in Historica Fairs. "They are our future" she said, "and together we have a bright one!"
A large 'Canada' Ceremonial cake was cut by some of the children in attendance with His Worship, David Ryan, Mayor of Pickering, The Honourable Bev J. Oda, MP Durham, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women,and Trina McQueen O.C., of the Historica Foundation looking on.
Demonstrations of Heritage Crafts and Activities
People were invited to see the displays created by the children and youth from various Durham Region participating schools, and many children attended history related workshops. Please see list of schools below.
One exciting workshop was presented by Karin Shepperd, of The Whitby History Museum & Children's Centre.
Karin had a amazing array of heritage toys which she demonstrated and let the children play with. They were fascinated with the ingenuity of previous generations of children. Even in this day and age of computer toys, the old style toys are still spell binding. Karin Sheppard brings the Whitby Historical Society's, Travelling Museum into schools and gives programs to students teaching them about the Olden Days.
Workshops included in the event by:
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Stepping in Tyme Dance Society
Closing Ceremonies of the event took place in Oddfellow’s Hall where a thank you was given to everyone by Katrina Pyke, of Pickering Museum Village and an Affirmation Ceremony was given by
Solange Fournier Citizenship and Immigration, Canada
Visit Pickering Museum Village
Pickering Museum Village is located off Highway 7, at 6th Concession, Greenwood, Ontario
Tel. 905-683-8401
Pickering Museum Village also participated in Pickering Sustainability Day at the Pickering Town Centre, where the emphasis was on presenting ways to Go 'Green' and be environmentally conscious.
Participating Schools
Altona Forest PS - Pickering
Beau Valley PS - Oshawa
Bellwood PS - Whitby
Carruthers Creek PS - Ajax
ol. J.E. Farewell PS - Whitby
Cpt. Michael VandenBos PS - Whitby
Dr. S.J. Phillips PS - Oshawa
Fallingbrook PS - Whitby
Harmony PS - Oshawa
Travalgar Castle School, Whitby
Valley View PS Greenwood
Westney Heights PS Pickering
Kedron PS - Oshawa
Lakeside PS - Ajax
Lakewoods PS - Oshawa
Quaker Village PS - Uxbridge
St. Luke the Evangelist CS - Whitby
Sponsors of the Event
Coca Cola Company
Canadian Club of Durham Region
City of Pickering
Pickering Museum Village
Town of Whitby
Royal Canadian Legion Br 112
Dr. Ronald L Sperber
National Waste Services Inc.
Dominion Store at Westney Road
City of Oshawa
Supporters of Historica
J. W. McConnell Family Foundation
Canadian Heritage
Home Outfitters
The Bay
Zellers
Steering Committee for the event
Jennifer Maddigan
Susan Crase
Caroline McBrine
Mark your calendar for next year’s Durham Regional Historica Fair, it is scheduled to take place at ‘Parkwood’, the R.S. McLaughlin Estate in Oshawa, Ontario on
May 1 and 2, 2008.
Karin Sheppard of Whitby History Museum & Children's Centre gave a demonstration on Old Fashioned toys which delighted the children attending.
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