In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1983. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: May Day Madness was three days of festivities that took place May 21 – 23, 1983 organized by Rich Miller. Festivities included a dance, a beer garden, clowns, jugglers, carriage rides, and helicopter tours. The weekend also hosted the Great Snow Earth Water Race and a tennis tournament, among other games and events.
Question: What was the best and worst of May Day Madness?
Katherine & Kristine Berry – Grade One Students – Burnaby
We went swimming and rode our bikes and went to the playground. The best part was watching our mom come skiing down in the big race. She was sweating and put ice in her shirt. We didn’t know that there were children’s games on Saturday ’til they were over though.
Joe Bowes – Consultant – Vancouver
I think they should try to make the skiing part of the great race safer. On the whole though, it was super. I loved dancing in the dirt at the beer garden and the weather really helped. I’d rather see more festivities in the village rather than at the school. (Note: At the time, the Myrtle Philip School was located next to the Village site, about where the Delta Village Inn is located today.)
Frank Stoltmann – Businessman – West Vancouver
I think this was the best year ever for the great race and I felt that all events were well organized. They started and finished on time and noise and confusion didn’t become a problem. The exception was the tennis tournament which was very disorganized and hadn’t been promoted well.