Just down a ways from where the powerful Columbia River awaits to gather up the frisky waters of the Kicking Horse, lies the settlement of Golden. For as long as time can remember, the sun and the rivers have nurtured all the living creatures of the valley.
After dark and once each year, as the valley is quietened by a blanket of white, all the Wild Creatures of the valley become silly with anticipation as they await the return of the Snow King to bring fire and light to the cold, dark winter night.
It’s a cheerful time. The Snow King has sent word ahead that this year he desires all his loyal subjects to “Welcome the World” in honour of those adventurers who over the past century have travelled thousands of miles to settle and raise families in this beautiful and happy valley.
The mountain folk can feel the call of the Snow King and they have arrived from the four corners of the earth to greet each other and parade and light the way for all the Wild Creatures, fantastic, great, and small.
All the volunteers for Kicking Horse Culture and all the folks who dedicated their time, energy and happiness these past few weeks would like to offer a great big Golden thank you for coming and celebrating with us.
The Snow King's Equerry, Joyce deBoer has sent special thanks from the Snow King to: Workshop/Playhouse/creation of masques and lanterns: The unflappable Shelagh O'Brien, Ariana and Natalya, who kept the workshop clean, patiently dealt with inquiries and kept a calm, smiling presence; Ron VanVugt, champion of the "moment" and now an expert in the art of glue and tissue; Wayne Dang, our artist-in-residence and a generous creative consultant; Workshop leaders Jenn Walton (leather masks and hula hoop design), Leah Weinstein (Snow King's quilt), Fred Desaulniers ("graffitti" mural) Pageant: Town of Golden Works Department, especially Dave Poland; Cam Harris, a handy AND handsome man; Maggie (Mme Love) Calladine who shepherded as necessary on the night of; Barry Johnson who took teenagers and turned them into active artists; Meghin Reynolds parachuted in, took it on and made it happen; Wayne Clark, always there and ready to help; Lady Patricia Royal Canadian Cadets who lit up the path for us to enjoy; Mike Pecora, whose hair must have fallen out because he's always running everywhere, and his assistant Travis; Laura Archer and Jordan who walked the talk at Spirit Square; Ethan Chambers, small but mighty; the patient and helpfull staff at Kicking Horse Culture and the Art Gallery of Golden: Thelma Brown, Sue Gould, Judy Malone, Mel Stolz, Dorothy Wardwell. Pageant Participants: David Love; Ron VanVugt; Claire deBoer and David Oosthoek, who made the giant puppets come alive again; Hjeron O'Sidhe and all the Fire People who mesmerized and thrilled us; Keelan Dalinghaus and Kieran Gosal, pages to the Snow King who carried the quilt; Mayor Christina Benty and her good humour and sense of play; The Lady Grey Cirkids (led by John Denham, Cheryl Verheyden and Jocelyn Wilson) who keep raising their game and their looks; Dalin Duce, Gloria Lowe and UngJung Jung who brought us music from far away; Sydney McLain and the most adorable hoopers who twinkly added a little spin of the fantastic; Sue Gould, Bill Usher, Bruce McGregor and Dalin Duce who drummed the night away. And .... to all of the people who opened their hearts to the spirit of home-made celebration ... thank you! Come join us next year!
Snow King's Quilt on display now at the Art Gallery of Golden.
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Photo: James Knoop, Golden Star See Rider Media's short video of the MasqueParade on YouTube here. Thanks Cliff!
Kicking Horse Culture would especially like to thank Joyce deBoer and Shelagh O'Brien for their weeks of imaginative and patient effort. And big thanks to Chris Cochran, Dave Poland and all of the Town's Operations Staff who made the Spirit Square so welcoming for all of us.
GENEROUSLY CHAMPIONED BY
CANADIAN TIMBERFRAMES GOLDEN TEACHERS COLUMBIA BASIN TRUST
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