In the early years of Cumberland’s Victoria Day holiday, sports played a huge part of the celebrations. Attendants were invited not just to watch, but also to be active participants, in a whole host of races, games, football matches and a tug-of-war, with prizes given to the victors.
In 1918 there were 31 separate events with prizes ranging from silver cups to cash. The 100-yard Single Ladies’ Race had a first prize of $4 and a second prize of $2. While it boasted the same amount for prizes, the Married Ladies’ Race was only 75 yards long.
First Aid competitions were held with five gold medals given by the Canadian Collieries and five silver medals presented by the Central Organization. A tug-of-war was also held between mine teams with a grand prize of $24 to the winners.
For children under the age of 16 there were obstacle races, 100-yard dashes, and shoe scramble races. At 12:45 a Grand Patriotic Parade of School Children was held with children representing different Allied Nations. Prizes were given to those who best represented any of Canada’s allies in the Great War.
This year was also the first time a bicycle race was added to the program; the course ran from the Company Farm to Cumberland’s City Hall. It was open to all boys 16 years and under. Three runner-up prizes were donated by T.E. Bate, C.H. Tarbell & Son, and T. Nakanishi, with the grand prize of an electric bicycle lamp donated by Canadian Bicycle Company of Vancouver.
