Mishall RehmanPetawawa is set to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary this weekend with an event packed three days themed “TNT” Then, Now and Tomorrow.
Starting Friday August 21, the celebrations feature a host of events for the entire family including live bands, kids zone on Saturday and Sunday, a Lumberjack breakfast early Sunday morning, arts and crafts vendors and community sports displays. Visitors can also enjoy historical reenactments from war reenactors to a Miracle Worker Travelling Show and more. Historical reenactments are scattered throughout the three-day celebrations.
The highlight of the celebrations is the parade on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Said to be one of the largest parades in 20 years, it will feature 200 units comprising of floats and marching bands.
The city of Petawawa has historically always prided itself on its strong relationship with the base. The importance of the military in the town’s history is reflected in the celebrations with the showcasing of the latest military equipment, the Griffin and Chinook helicopters on display, the Sky Hawks jumping each day and more.
“The military’s always been a big component and a strong partner with the town. Both the base and the town have been recognized in the past as sort of an example of how a municipality and a base can work together,” explained Kelly Williams Manger of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Petawawa.
Now the largest municipality in Renfrew County, the Town of Petawawa started out as a landing area for many immigrants of Scottish, Irish and German heritage. The town’s early industry was founded in its agriculture, forestry and logging. In 1905, the city would be forever changed with the opening of the military base that soon became a training area for soldiers in First World War. Since then the town’s growth has been intertwined with the base.
“The town has grown slowly over time and as the base has grown the town has grown. We continue to experience both residential and commercial growth as we move into the future” explained Williams.
For more information about the city’s celebrations visit www.petawawa150th.ca.
