Empire Day _ May Day

Empire Day was originally  a celebration of the British Empire that was held for many years in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other countries. It took place every year on May 24, the date of Queen Victoria's birthday. In Canada, it evolved into Victoria Day, or May Day  The annual event usually featured Maypole dancing, races and games, and patriotic speeches.

The first celebrations were held in Mission from 1920 to 1943 to raise funds for the Mission Memorial Hospital. The MMH Auxiliary planned and organized fundraising and special events that allowed Mission’s first hospital to open in 1925 debt-free. In 1942, organizing the event was handed over to the Elks and Royal Purple who ran it until 1982.

For more information read Mission’s Living Memorials by local authors Cathy Marcellus, Betty Dandy & Betty Robertson