Reflections: Mitchell's 'Old Boys and Girls Reunion'

A grand celebration was held in 1923 to mark the 50th anniversary of Mitchell becoming a town

Mitchell was declared to be a town via an 1873 proclamation by the lieutenant governor that was made official at the beginning of 1874. A grand celebration was held in 1923 to mark the 50th anniversary of the proclamation. Area newspapers described the details of the elaborate decorations for the “Old Boys and Girls Reunion,” noting that:

“Thousands of flags of all sizes and countries, hundreds and hundreds of red, white and blue lights, strung along all the principal thoroughfares, exquisitely dressed store windows, a hilarious midway, decorated motor cars, decorated verandahs, decorated men, decorated women and decorated young girls blend into a whole of vivid picturesqueness. . . . The main business street is a gala sight by day and a veritable Wonderland by night. Lighted by row on row of twinkling, many coloured electric lamps, the beflagged thoroughfares bring a gasp of surprises to the........

© Sarnia Observer