Queen Elizabeth II’s nearly 71-year reign brought moments of celebration from its very beginning. Across the globe, communities marked Coronation Day with special events honouring Her Majesty–– including right here in Selkirk.
A Royal Opportunity Comes to Town
Tuesday, June 2 was an occasion not to be missed, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many local residents. Community members quickly rallied together following Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne on February 6, 1952, forming a Coronation Day Committee to plan Selkirk’s celebrations. By spring, committee members were meeting weekly, working tirelessly in the lead-up to the coronation to organize an above-and-beyond event for Selkirk and neighbouring communities.
The Brains Behind the Beautiful Bash
While the exact number of committee members is unknown, volunteers were divided into five subcommittees–– Parade, Sports, Dance, Financing, and Timing. The committee was supported financially by Selkirk town council, the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, and other local organizations. Any surplus funds raised were later donated to the local hospital. In preparation for the day, Selkirk was decorated head-to-toe, with banners and streamers lining Eveline Street, Manitoba Avenue, and Jemima Street to Memorial Hall. Telephone poles were painted white and adorned with the Coronation flag, the Union Jack, and the Red Ensign.
A Poised Program
Selkirk’s Coronation Day program mirrored celebrations held in other communities, with one unique addition: a commemorative tree planting.
At 1 p.m., Coronation Day officially began with the planting of a tree by Mayor Steve Oliver on once-vacant land adjacent to the Selkirk Lift Bridge along Eveline Street, recently acquired by the town. For a few years the Independent Order of Odd Fellows leased the park from the town, maintaining and beautifying the park. The land would soon be named in honour of Queen Elizabeth, and Queen’s Park became home to seven trees gifted to the city by Mr. S. Cawson.
At 1:30 p.m., the Coronation Day parade stepped off. The parade committee –– made up of K. Davidson, M. Tataryn, Harold McCumber, and Mike Kreviak, all members of the Canadian Legion and/or the Army, Navy and Air Force veterans’ organizations –– organized the event. The parade travelled along Eveline Street and Manitoba Avenue and featured a wide range of participants, including Parade Marshal F. L. Bishop, Veteran Bells (a Scottish girl band), Sea Cadets with a float, members of Selkirk council, representatives from the RMs of St. Andrews and St. Clements, Brownies, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Canadian Girl Guides in Training, the Jimmies Pipe Band, the 4-H Club, the Canadian Legion, Army, Navy and Air Force Auxiliaries and Veterans, St. John Ambulance, an Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) float, and members of the Clandeboye Ladies Auxiliary.
In the June 11 issue of the Selkirk Enterprise, reporters noted, “The parade, viewed by thousands of town and district residents who lined the route along Eveline St. and Manitoba Ave., was the program highlight.”
Following the parade, a service was held at the Arena, with the Male Voice Choir and Ladies Glee Club contributing to the program. Knox Church and Christ Church also hosted special services in honour of the coronation, featuring prayers and choir performances. At Knox Church, a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth was unveiled alongside the Union Jack, and the R.C. Sea Cadets “Daerwood” participated in a special parade.
The afternoon was dedicated to Sports Day at the fairgrounds, with events planned including flyweight competitions, Pee Wee baseball, girls’ softball, and a tug-of-war between teams from the Rotary and Kinsmen Clubs, Manitoba Rolling Mills and Manitoba Steel Foundry, and the Canadian Legion and Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans. Booths hosted by community organizations were also scheduled to be set up. Unfortunately, rain fell throughout the afternoon, forcing the cancellation of the sporting events. As the weather cleared later in the day, Coronation Day concluded with a dance at Memorial Hall, a bonfire east of the river lit by Boy Scouts, and fireworks launched from the deck of the S.S. Bradbury just south of the bridge. The program promised, “This display will be the finest seen in Selkirk.”
A Continuation of the Celebrations
Following Coronation Day, the Garry Theatre screened A Queen Is Crowned, a full-length feature film of the Queen’s coronation, on July 13, 14, and 15. Selkirk resident J. F. Cunningham was also honoured as a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, awarded by the Governor General of Canada to individuals who had made outstanding contributions to their communities.
From the tree planting at Queen’s Park to the parade watched by thousands, Selkirk’s Coronation Day celebrations stand as a reminder of how deeply global events were once woven into local life. Decades later, Selkirk’s Coronation Day remains a vivid example of how a small community united to celebrate the start of a reign that would shape generations. Recently, the street, King Bay was named in honour of the accession of King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sources
Flyweight, Dictionary.com
Manitoba Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, Manitoba Historical Society
Queen’s Park, Selkirk Museum
Welcome to IODE Canada, IODE Canada
Selkirk Enterprise, 1953
