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Similkameen News Leader

HEDLEY PLANS STAMP MILL DAY

May 5th, 2007!

Hedley, a small village of 460 people, was once a thriving mining town.

Gold mines were once synonymous with Hedley, providing a rich heritage of community and social resources and events.

In May 1904 the Stamp Mill began to crush the ore from Nickel Plate Gold Mine and continued to do so until 1955.

Once a year the community celebrated Stamp Mill Day in order to commemorate the dropping of the first stamp and the retrieval of vast tons of gold from the mine high above the town, historically this included a parade, games for children, a picnic and competitions.

In 2003 Hedley's Heritage Museum Society, with the help of other Hedley community clubs and individuals, revived the traditional Stamp Mill Day celebration and it will be celebrated again this year.

The celebration will be on May 5th and will begin with the ringing of the old fire bell, a hearty pancake breakfast, followed by the crowning of the Hedley May Queen, a parade, an outhouse race and wagon rides.

Other activities include gold panning, entertainment and old fashioned contests for all ages.

Community clubs, businesses and home owners will drape their buildings and homes with red and white bunting and volunteers dressed in vintage clothing will add to the heritage feel of the day.

Similkameen News Leader