International Border Picnics

With members of the Associated Country Women of the World on both sides of the 49th parallel it was inevitable that there should be some to and fro-ing across the border that separates the United States from Canada.

There were a number of border picnics between British Columbia and Washington State. South Vancouver Island District Women's Institute and the American members from the Port Angeles area of Washington had a long standing arrangement for an annual picnic each summer, usually in August. Just when the first picnic was held is not clear, but they started some time after the  end of World War 2 and the last one planned but which did not happen, was, I believe, for 2008.The hostesses alternated and one could always count in three ingredients in each event: a warm welcome, great food and interesting entertainment!

An account of the 1963 picnic reads,  in part:

            “ Over 200 members of the Women's Institutes from South Vancouver Island area, travelled to Port Angeles via Black Ball Ferries for the annual exchange border picnic.

Officers and members of the Clallum County Homemaker's Clubs met the ferry to welcome their Canadian guests.”

They had cars available for all the guests to be transported to the luncheon, at Mount Pleasant Hall, after which there was a short musical presentation followed by a visual presentation of pictures of the surrounding area as well as wildflowers and native animals.. A tour of the area  was then enjoyed before returning to the ferry terminal and the sail home.

For their part, the Canadians when hosting, had all the attractions of Victoria to draw on. Some celebrations were hosted in downtown Victoria, others at Butchart Gardens, in Colwood and at other attractions. There was a gathering on the grounds of Government  House one year, and the tour of the Gardens was a great attraction.

While the border picnic between Vancouver Island and Port Angeles was, I believe, the longest running border picnic between BC and Washington and Idaho, there were others. For a time Kettle River District exchanged visits with the American members across the line from them. That also applied to South Okanagan, and I think for a time too, the Kootenay area.

The members in the Douglas District, and likely members from Hopeline District as well,  attended and enjoyed the exchange of  pleasantries and ideas. The Douglas District events were sometimes held close to the Peace Arch, that symbol of the freedom of movement across the American/Canadian border. Alas, as time thinned the ranks of members on both sides of the border, the attendance suffered, and even later, as the participants aged, it became difficult for the hostesses. With regrets, the picnics became something remembered with fondness and appreciation, and they passed into history.

To our American counterparts – thanks for the memories, and we wish you a very happy summer!

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historians, British Columbia Women's Institute