TheColumbia Valley - Columbia Valley Pioneer

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer July 6, 2007
Traces of Thompson
Celebrating the Bicentennial of David Thompson’s North American Explorations
DAVY’S NAVY—Under the command of “Commodore”
Norm Crerar of Vernon, the 2007 David Th ompson Brigade
of voyageur canoes paddled into Taynton Bay on Lake
Windermere last Wednesday to be greeted by hundreds of
celebrants waiting at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere. Th e
stop was one of a handful in the upper Columbia Valley
as the brigade of eight canoes makes its way down the
Columbia River to commemorate the bicentennial of David
Th ompson’s major North American explorations. Th e
District of Invermere, in conjunction with the Columbia
Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Lions’ Club, hosted
the reception, which included a barbecue, games, music
by the O’Sullivan Family, the David Th ompson Heritage
stage show and a toast to the voyageurs. Th e brigade also
made stops in Canal Flats and Edgewater before continuing
their journey to communities downstream.
Photos by Brian Geis