Through the rise of the Internet, the fall of the Soviet Union, and the launch of humans into space, one thing has remained a constant in Powell River: Sea Fair. This year, the summer festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
To understand what led to the festival becoming the epitome of fun for all, one must go back to the year of 1963. According to a speech given by past Rotary Club of Powell River president Ben McAulay in 1975, Rotarians had thought the small town of Powell River was lacking in community spirit. They needed a sense of solidarity.
The idea came to host a festival celebrating the sea, which would attract tourists from far and wide. Thus, Sea Fair was born.
The planning process was intense. “We were hooked,” said McAulay. “We were talking, thinking, living and working for Sea Fair.”
The new festival was promoted heavily. The local flying club held a contest which awarded pilots for either posting the most bulletins, or posting the furthest away. Bulletins were seen as far as the mid-western United States. Letters were sent to everywhere from the Prime Minister’s office to the Commonwealth of Australia.
Many Sea Fair traditions started early on in the festival’s life. The Sea Fair treasure hunt was introduced in the first year. The prize was $1,000, almost $8,000 in today’s money according to Bank of Canada inflation rates.
McAulay compared the hoopla that arose from the hunt to trench warfare. The clues in each week’s paper had to be followed up by a special statement: “Remember, the treasure isn’t hidden on any private property, in the cemetery, at the airport, nor in any municipal park.”
The parade was also a feature of the festivities from the beginning. With a lack of precedent—there hadn’t been a parade in town in many years—the Rotary Club decided to go full throttle on the floats.
Huge replicas of Popeye, Olive Oyl and Brutus were made of papier mâché on a metal frame. A Rotarian would ride in the crowning glory, Popeye, to move his head back and forth.
The floats were a hit. So much so, that they ended up making a tour of the surrounding area, visiting everywhere from Sechelt to Seattle to the Vancouver PNE (Pacific National Exhibition). The set won a total of 13 trophies.
Don Logan has been a member of Rotary for almost 30 years. The aftermath of the float tour was almost as good as the awards they won, he said. “They fibreglassed them, brought them down to Willingdon Beach, and the rest is history.”
Missing from the beach display are Donald Duck’s nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, who were built alongside the original Popeye set. “We gave those to the schools, but after a while, they just deteriorated,” explained Logan.
Arranged by a Rotarian connection, US naval ships also visited the festival almost every year. The event experienced massive popularity. In 1971, the ship’s log for a US tank transport showed it had received more than 11,000 visitors.
Other activities of that time have been left by the wayside over the years, such as the “water polo” game between visiting sailors and volunteer firefighters. Two teams would use a fire hose in an attempt to move a large ball through the opposing team’s ranks.
Another, the milk carton boat race, had competitors tie milk cartons together into a raft, which they could propel with any physical means possible.
Adding even more creativity to the festivities, large boards were tied to the fence and local artists were encouraged to paint on them. The finished products were auctioned off to the community.
Powell River’s ties with the logging and paper industries were also celebrated. A paper-packing contest had participants competing to see who could carry a giant roll of paper the furthest. “It was crazy,” said Logan. “Sometimes it just broke your heart to watch these guys sweating and trudging along.”
Logger sports also used to be held in conjunction with Sea Fair weekend. Activities included axe throwing and barrel rolling on booms anchored off the beach.
Logan said he takes pride in being involved in Sea Fair so many years. When asked if he thought Sea Fair met its original chartered goal of providing a fun activity for children with total community involvement, he paused. After a moment, he nodded his head. “I really think so.”
Carol Hamilton, who has worked with the Sea Fair committee for the past 30-some years, agreed. She said that although Sea Fair has diversified over time, it still keeps the same goal of bringing the community together for a fun-filled event.
Hamilton said the committee obtained the first ever Sea Fair schedule from Powell River Historical Museum and Archives. “It’s amazing how many of our activities have lasted through the years,” she said.
Though Hamilton is retiring after this year, she looks back fondly on her time with Sea Fair. “It’s like planning a community party every year,” she said. “It’s a celebration of our good life by the sea.”
