Previously published on March 3, 2001 in the Prince George Citizen:
There once was a simpler time when children made their own diversions. Some adults can remember childhoods when they were free to roam their neighbourhoods in carefree splendour. Children growing up in the 1940s and 1950s could play for hours building forts in the bush. Entire afternoons were spent floating all manner of craft down the swiftly-moving waters of ditches. Using sticks to assist navigation around rocks, the floating could be guided for distances equivalent to several city blocks. Happy summer days offered endless adventures from dawn to dusk. Just two generations ago, children had that kind of unsupervised freedom.
Apart from school activities or church-sponsored concerts, children in Prince George through the decades had an early version of an annual children's fair. From the mid 1920s and through the war years, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organized an annual children's masquerade ball. Held in May, the springtime event was planned to coincide first with Empire Day and later with Victoria Day.
During the war years, the Elks cancelled their annual children's Flag Day celebration in response to the Dominion government's order that Victoria Day not be a general holiday for the duration of the war. However, that did not affect the children's masquerade ball which, by that time, had become a highlight of the spring season.
At the C.C.F. hall, a panoply of delights awaited inspection by eager children and their parents. Apart from the fun of it, other incentives for dressing up in costume included prizes for each of best-dressed boy and girl under six years old; best dressed boy and girl; most original boy and girl and best comic costume.
The 1942 Elks' party included children from farming centres around the district. They were brought to town to join the city children. Altogether, they formed a group of 350 attending first a ceremony at city hall, and then parading to the Strand Theatre for an afternoon matinee and ice cream. John McInnis, who became Exalted Ruler of Elks, delivered the address to the flag and talked to the children about freedom and the benefits of living under the Union Jack.
Mr. McInnis told the young people assembled, "The current history of Europe teaches Canada the need for national unity - complete national unity." He talked about the valiant efforts being made by those serving in the war for Canada, Britain and the United States. At one point, he reminded the children that they would need to prepare to take over running the country in the future. He suggested children could accomplish this "by shouldering responsibilities in the home, protecting against forest fires and co-operating with teachers."
When the prizes were awarded, special recognition went to Dianna Hearn and Jessie Jorgensen who dressed as Hawaiian girls and presented an act as they danced their way around the entire ballroom. The prize for the most original girl went to Donna Styles, all decked out in a red, white and blue theme depicting the shields of each province in the Dominion. The best comic prizes recognized George Clark as a jovial fat clown and Mary Jane Crocker as a cave girl.
In 1943, the best-dressed girl under six was Dianne Smith, who arrived daintily dressed as a southern belle. The prize among the older girls was awarded to Hazel Davis in a stunning black lace senorita's costume. The prize for the most original girl's costume went to Irene Jank who dressed as an Indian woman carrying a papoose. The most original boy's costume was worn by Bobby Guile, who came outfitted in battle fatigues as a camouflaged commando. Comic prizes went to Jessie Jorgensen for her take-off on Mussolini and Earl Warner, who got dressed up as a bird. Other costumes depicted colourful interpretations of pirates, soldiers, tramps, forest sprites, elves, fairies, princesses, brides, and rabbits.
With simple entertainment of singing and dancing and outfitted in costumes produced by home-made handiwork, the children of city and region were once grandly entertained. Half a century ago, those amusements didn't have to compete with the wonderful products that modern technology now provides. No one could have imagined then what is available now to keep children amused. As we marvel at the forms of entertainment on display this weekend, we can't begin to predict how children will learn and play in 2050!
