Another planning year for the Golden Spike Days Festival is almost at an end. As I reflect on this past year I feel especially satisfied with what our Board of Directors has accomplished. Most people in our community are aware of the hurdles we have faced these past few years, mostly as a result of the economic downturn.
For those unfamiliar with how the festival is hosted, I will share with you our story. The Golden Spike Days Festival is planned and hosted by a group of volunteers that make up the Port Moody Golden Spike Days Society. We spend all year planning the festival and carry out all the duties associated with contracting for all activities is the park and on the stage. On average our board members work 20 hours per month preparing for this weekend.
Our Board of Directors work all year securing donations, either in kind or financial. These funds are used to bring in the events in the park, hire entertainers for the stage and cover many other costs associated with the festival. Without the generosity of companies throughout the Tri Cities and the Lower Mainland we could not host this event. It is their corporate contributions that have allowed us to welcome you to Rocky Point Park this Canada Day weekend.
Additional sources of funds are grants that we receive from different levels of government. The City of Port Moody has been one of our largest contributors. This year we received a grant from Canadian Heritage and we also received a small grant from the Province of B.C. under the Legacies 2010 initiative.
Another integral component of the festival is our volunteers. Without volunteers this festival would not occur year after year. They greet our visitors to the park, assist the children in making hats and climbing onto the ponies, look for lost children and hundreds of other jobs to ensure everyone enjoys the weekend. I hope you will take the time to say thank you to show you appreciate their role at the festival.
Please consider volunteering either on festival weekend or throughout the year. We can be reached at 604-931-8852 or by email at
It has been a wonderful experience working with such a great Board of Directors, Golden Spike Days staff, volunteers, community organizations, businesses in our community, elected officials and City of Port Moody staff. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity.
May you enjoy this 34th festival as much as I have enjoyed being a part of the team that hosts it.
The Society 
