Village Squire, 1978-06, Page 35TRAVEL
Klondike days
provides excitement
in Edmonton
BY
PHIL O'REILLY
"Men and women will kindly refrain
from throwing peanuts. Ladies and
gentlemen do not need to be thus
cautioned. Gold and silver coins may be
tossed gently."
These words appeared on the 1977
program announcing the presentation of a
genuine old-fashioned melodrama. The
place was the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton
and the melodrama was just one of many
things to see and do during Edmonton's
annual summer fun bash called Klondike
Days.
Presumably the program was an
authentic reproduction of the type used
when melodrama was in its heyday. And
after reading it, how could one possibly
resist going to see a "remarkable
aggregation of illustrious actors in...Dead-
wood Dick?"
It soon became evident that as important
as the play itself, was the preparation of
the audience for the great performances
that were to come.
One must get into the right spirit for
such exercises in talented overacting. At a
serious play the audience is there to watch
and, occasionally, applaud. At a melo-
drama the audience almost becomes part of
the show.
For our money the warmup was as much
fun as the play itself. Onto the stage strode
a pleasant lady all decked out in her finery
and, after singing a few bars, received
polite applause. Then she began her pitch.
Throughout the evening we were told, we
were expected to greet the entrance of
characters in a prescribed manner...a loud
hiss for the villain, a rousing cheer for the
hero, and a soft sign for the heroine.
Identifying the villain was no problem
since he was dressed in traditional black
and, naturally, the hero wore white. The
heroine was such a cute little thing it didn't
matter what she wore.
So we rehearsed the appropriate
responses and it was on with the play
which, naturally, was a western. Appropri-
ately the scenes took place in the local
saloon. Although not immediately obvious,
it soon became clear that there were
"plants" in the audience. Their remarks
were just too well timed, too pointed out
humorous...and the spectators loved it.
Suffice to say that the melodrama
featured each year at Klondike Days, is
something you shouldn't miss if you're in
Edmonton during the festivities this
summer (July 19-29).
Plan also to extend your visit for that
great sporting attraction, the 1 lth
Commonwealth Games (Aug. 3-12) and see
the top athletes from 48 nations. Tickets for
the games are still available and can be
obtained in the following ways: Tickets for
Canadians for the games are being
distributed in Canada through the 966
branches of the Toronto -Dominion Bank.
But meanwhile back at Klondike Days.
No matter what you like in entertainment,
there is something for you during this
annual 10 -day summer fun festival. Visit a
museum, listen to the works of poet Robert
Service, or trip the light fantastic at one of
the many downtown nightspots.
To suggest that virtually everybody gets
into the spirit of the occasion is not an
exaggeration. People of all ages dress up in
all their finery during the festival. One of
the highlights is the Sunday Promenade
when the pages of history are seemingly
turned back. The core of the city is blocked
to traffic to become one huge mall and a
blaze of color as the citizens don their most
flamboyant Gay Nineties attire. Additional-
ly, individual communities, within the city
and the surrounding metropolitan area, all
have something to offer the visitor, from
open-air pancake breakfasts to costume
competitions. ,
Something is going on --and much of it
free --almost 24 -hours a day. For instance,
during the Promenade a varity of top-notch
entertainment is presented on a dozen
stages located at strategic points in the
downtown core.
Another event that has to be seen to be
believed is the Sourdough Raft Race down
the twisting and speedy North Saskatche-
wan River. Rafting is not new to the river.
It was used as a main thoroughfare by the
real Klondikers of 1898 on their way, first
to Edmonton, and then the gold fields.
Since 1960 the original waterway trek
has been re-enacted annually and is now a
permanent part of Klondike Days.
Competition is keen for both prize money
and awards in the rafting event. But the
real fun came with the addition of a comedy
section. All manner of strange craft are
built and manned by conspicuous crews.
The name of the game is a good time and
about the only rule is that the craft be
capable of floating. Preferred vantage
points for the fun are locations where a
crew member, in an exercise of brilliant
timing, swims, wades and stumbles to
shore grabs a garter from a dance hall girl
and then desperately tries to catch up to
the boat before the current sweeps it
Wedding Bells...
and Flowers
So, your wedding date has
been set, and now you are
making the arrangements.
Your flower order is
important. It
can help to
make the
day, and
also provide
many
pleasant
memories.
We would
count it
a privilege
t".'"
�r to serve you
{ ' on this glad
occasion.
Listowel Florist Ltd.
Ed Van Good
LISTOWEL, ONTARIO
170 Wallace N.
Listowel
Phone 291-2040
United No. 461
FTD No. 752675
When you "say it with
flowers" from Listowel Florist.
"you've said it all."
FOR ALL YOUR
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
GARDENING SUPPLIES
AND LANDSCAPING NEEDS
ART'S
LANDSCAPING
Nursery and Garden Centre
Open 7 days a week
Monday thru Saturday
till dark;
Sunday 12 to 6.
Seeding
Sodding
& Shrubs
Everything for your lawn
or garden.
Bennett St., Goderich
524-9126
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1978. PG. 33.