Join Parks Canada as St. Peters Canal Celebrates 150Years
News release
Commemorative community event to take place this Saturday at the National Historic Site
August 9, 2019 St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia Parks Canada Agency
In 2019, St. Peters Canal is marking its 150th anniversary and Parks Canada is commemorating this special milestone Saturday, August 10, 2019 in collaboration with the communities of St. Peter’s and Potlotek. Join us for a fun-filled day of festivities at one of our treasured places, St. Peters Canal National Historic Site.
Parks Canada is responsible for protecting nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. The celebration at St. Peters Canal will help share the stories of this special place with Canadians and visitors and create memorable experiences.
Festivities will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and the day will conclude with fireworks at dusk. There will be events for the whole family including a canoe trip re-enactment, new Indigenous interpretive panel unveiling, and children’s activities. St. Peter’s Economic Development Organization will provide a barbecue and there will be a special cake. The schedule of activities is as follows:
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Official Ceremony
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Children’s Activities
11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. – Outdoor parent and tot session sponsored by Family Place Resource Centre
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Barbecue sponsored by St. Peter’s Economic Development Organization
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Live Music
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Parade of Sail
Dusk – Firework Display
Built on an isthmus, the 800-metre St. Peters Canal National Historic Site joins the Atlantic Ocean to Bras d’Or Lake, meandering through Battery Provincial Park. Those passing through the locks by boat during the 150th anniversary can pick up a commemorative boating certificate.
Parks Canada is collaborating with many partners to make the 150th anniversary celebrations a success including St. Peter’s Economic Development Organization, St. Peter’s Village Commission, Village on the Canal Association, St. Peter’s Marina, St. Peter’s Community Club – Nicolas Denys Museum, Canal Landing, and the communities of St. Peter’s and Potlotek.
As Canada’s largest provider of natural and cultural tourism, Parks Canada places are cornerstones of Canada’s local, regional and national tourism industry.
For more information about the summer of celebration at St. Peters Canal National Historic Site, visit pc.gc.ca/spc150.
Quotes
“St. Peters Canal National Historic Site reflects the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history. This year is special for St. Peter’s Canal as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. I encourage locals and visitors to take in the natural and cultural beauty found in Richmond County.”
Rodger Cuzner,
Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“Richmond County is excited to celebrate 150 years of the St. Peter’s Canal and the boost in tourism this is bringing to the community of St. Peter’s. We’re proud to partner with Parks Canada and surrounding communities to celebrate this special anniversary all season long.”
Brian Marchand,
Warden for Richmond County
“We’re proud to play a significant role in the celebrations with the canoe trip re-enactment and new Indigenous interpretive panel unveiling. It highlights the important history and contributions of our ancestors here in Unama’ki while enhancing the visitor experience at the canal.”
Chief Wilbert Marshall,
Potlotek
Quick facts
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St. Peters Canal National Historic Site is the pride of the village of St. Peter’s, whose history can be traced back to a traditional Mi’kmaw portage route and a 17th-century trading post and haulover road built by French merchant, Nicolas Denys. With a steadily increasing volume of shipping, a canal replaced the haulover road in 1869. Its remarkable 15-year construction and evolution as a contemporary waterway opened Cape Breton Island up to development.
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Working together with more than 300 Indigenous communities across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving, restoring, and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.
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Designated a national historic site in 1929, St. Peters Canal National Historic Site welcomes approximately 12,000 people per year. Thousands of vehicles cross the bridge each month and the lock opens for 1,000 boats each year on average.
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St. Peters Canal National Historic Site reflects the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse heritage.
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National parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Associated links
Contacts
Coady Slaunwhite
Communications Officer, Parks Canada
902-217-0861
coady.slaunwhite@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca