Canada Games Plaza hosted city-wide anniversary party Saturday night. Photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – A big party was held in Canada Games Plaza Saturday night for those who felt like celebrating the one-year anniversary of the city hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

And apparently there were plenty of people who felt like celebrating.  The temperature was cool, the drizzle started before the speeches began but nothing seemed to dampen the spirits of those who enjoyed the sites and sounds of the gathering which fell during the Celebrate Prince George Festival.

Mayor Lyn Hall told the crowd “it’s absolutely hard to believe that a year ago we were at CN Centre getting ready for the opening of the Canada Winter Games.  Here we are a year later celebrating the anniversary.” The mayor said the number of green (volunteers) jacket that he saw in the crowd “instills community pride and I can’t tell you how great I feel, along with council, when we look out onto the crowd and see all of those green jackets.  This really is indicative of what Prince George is all about.”

Shirley Bond, Mike Morris, Art Kaehn and Mayor Hall addressed the partiers

Mayor Hall says there are a number of things in the coming year that will continue the momentum that was generated by the games.

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond says with the Canada Winter Games “Prince George left its mark on the country.  Team BC did fantastically well I think it won 88 medals.  People are still talking about their visit here because of our amazing green jackets.”  She added “it may have been the first winter games that we’ve had here in the province.  No one will carry the kind of spirit we did when we next host them.”

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris also focussed on the volunteers who made the games a reality.  “Right around the country here, right around the world I still hear all kinds of compliments about Prince George and the number of volunteers we had out.  We did leave a legacy in the fact that Prince George is a great place for people to come and visit, come here to live and come here to work and I hope we continue to see that trend.  We’ve got some great sport venues in this city that are going to be used time and time again for world-class events.”

Regional District Chair Art Kaehn wanted to “acknowledge the Lheidli T’enneh.  You were a great partner in this event a year ago and continue to be so, and the regional district was proud to be a partner in the games as well and to be part of the sustainable program and all the re-cycling that took place.”  He also tipped his cap to the volunteers of Prince George.

After the speeches it was on to the entertainment, and entertaining it was.  When the Chris Buck Band launched into a rowdy rendition of “Shake It For Me”, they had a couple of gals who got up on the stage and did just that, much to the delight of the two ladies, the boys in the band and a few folks in the crowd as well.

Entertainment continued through the evening, culminating in a thunderous performance by the AC/DC tribute band, BC/DC and a fireworks display.