Bicentennial Community Volunteers Celebrated (1)

Exactly one year since the launch of the Bicentennial year, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills celebrated the many community volunteers who helped make it happen.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, more than 50 volunteers and local partners, along with members of Council and municipal staff, gathered at Almonte Old Town Hall for the Bicentennial Appreciation Night. The purpose of the evening was to say thank you to those volunteers and community members who played a role in the execution of a fantastic bicentennial celebration.

“This evening, it’s our turn to honour you – the community members, organizations and partners who helped us make more Mississippi Mills history,” said Mayor Christa Lowry. “Your willingness to share your time, talents and expertise, ensured these festivities went off without a hitch. We are indeed lucky to have such a wealth of inspiring citizens in our community.”

Mississippi Mills’ Bicentennial was marked with nearly 50 events, taking place in each corner of the Municipality. Events ranged from the RCMP Musical Ride, Come Home to Pakenham Weekend and Millworkers’ Walk Re-enactment to farm tours and musicals, as well as an extra special Light Up the Night and the unveiling of an Indigenous public art installation, The Seven Gifts.

“After months and months of staying home and being apart, the Bicentennial celebrations were a positive way for the community to come together and rediscover our stories and our heritage and re-establish our busy social calendars!” Mayor Lowry stated.

As a slideshow played highlighting Bicentennial events, guests had the opportunity to view displays throughout the auditorium, showcasing various items from the past year. One display included contents of the Bicentennial time capsule. The small time capsule will be buried by the Bicentennial Tree at the Municipal Office, to be opened in 2048.

What a year it’s been!