TRADITIONAL PIONEER NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS RECALLED

By Farley Wuth

VARIABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS IMPACTED CELEBRATIONS

Early within our local history, the launch of another year was seen as an opportunity both for families to gather together and for friendships to be renewed. Yet the nature and amount of visiting which went on during those early days on the frontier largely depended upon the winter weather so changeable on this southwestern corner of the Canadian Prairies. New Year’s 1914, for instance, was noted for its mild weather throughout most of the rural districts in the Pincher Creek area which meant that pioneer travel that year was relatively easy. Above average temperatures were noted in the Cowley area, although strong westerly winds caused some visibility problems in terms of blowing dust. Further west, the Crowsnest Pass and the neighboring settlements in southeastern British Columbia experienced a great deal of rainy weather, although the temperatures remained warm for that time of year. In the Ewelme District east of Fishburn, a significant rain shower took place on New Year’s Eve, and the weather was so mild that the usual winter frost was not in the ground.

Precisely twenty years later, the weather for New Year’s 1934 was much less co-operative. Cold temperatures, coupled with heavy snowfall, made roads treacherous and travel difficult at best. This in turn made attendance at functions honouring the arrival of the New Year somewhat lighter than otherwise would have been expected. Unnecessary travel in harsh winter weather was not taken lightly. However, pioneers often living in isolated conditions and thirsting for long awaited social events or catching up with rarely seen friends from other outlying districts often braved the elements in order to be there. That year’s severe winter weather brought back vivid memories of the horrendous pioneer years of 1886-87 and 1906-07 when massive snowfalls literally plugged the countryside. The ever anticipated Chinooks failed to materialize and area ranchers suffered greatly with cattle losses.

SPORTING EVENTS EVER POPULAR

Weather permitting, outdoor activities were prominent in many New Years’ celebrations. During the early 1900s, both recreational skating and hockey games were popular festive activities in the Fishburn District. Hockey was played every Saturday afternoon, and the entire community tended to come out to play in a friendly yet vigorous game or two.

Family skating took place regularly on nearby McClelland Lake and was popular with all ages. During more severe winters, a group of ambitious community members would clear the snow accumulation off the frozen lake surface in advance of those skating parties or hockey games. Shoveling the often drifted snow provided lots of exercise for the locals before they could even enjoy the sporting event itself. At the close of the activities, everyone would bundle together to enjoy hot chocolate along the lake shore or at the home of the closest neighbor. Socializing was popular with all.

TRADITIONAL NEW YEARS’ SOCIAL EVENTS

The New Year’s season also was well known for its indoor social events. Shortly before the outbreak of the First World War, a pre-New Year’s dance in Cowley was held for the benefit of the local hockey club. It was well attended and was a social success but did not raise the funds that had been expected. A few days later, a social comprising of a talent contest and a box social organized by the Cowley Ladies’ Aid was popularly attended. Locals enthusiastically participated in an entertaining evening of singing, dancing, and the auctioning of several baskets of homemade treats.

During the New Years of the 1930s and 1940s, locally produced skits, masquerade parties and card parties all were especially popular. The launch of the 1934 New Year was welcomed in the Beaver Mines District by the Fir Grove section of the Castle River Club which put on a dramatic presentation in the coal mining settlement’s local hall. Directed and performed by local residents, the skit created a great deal of interest.

Some six years later, the former students from the Robert Kerr School District Number 878 south of town put on a play entitled “What Happened to Uncle” which, combined with a dance following the production, was designed to raise funds for the Junior Red Cross. The popularly supported program continued until 2:30 in the morning, a testament to the significant social role of such gatherings.

The close of the 1933 year was marked in the Yarrow School District by a Masquerade Dance sponsored by the local baseball team. Wonderfully designed costumes attested to the innovative craft ideas of those who dressed in a variety of ways. The popular event was attended by ranchers and farmers from the Yarrow, Twin Butte and Fishburn Districts, and by all accounts, everyone had a grand time.

Card parties were popular events as families could informally gather together at neighbors’ homes. Accompanied by home cooking, fiddle music of the day, popular card games and the visiting of neighbors and friends, these events were well attended by the entire family, including one’s children. Such gatherings could be organized by a few close neighbors in spite of stormy weather and close to impassable roads. New Years’ card parties were the rage in the Twin Butte and Fishburn Districts during the mid-1930s, and these old time traditions have continued throughout many rural communities since then.

For many people, the history of New Years’ celebrations in southwestern Alberta was seen as an opportunity to welcome in the New Year in conjunction with visiting with family and friends. Such a rural tradition speaks well of our local past. On behalf of the Pincher Creek and District Historical Society, we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!