The City of Port Coquitlam Community Banner Program is a municipal beautification initiative that showcases Port Coquitlam’s community spirit and pride and the artistic talents of its residents.
In 2019, the City introduced a pilot project for the banner program titled Naturally Poco, featuring photographic images submitted by community members for the Port Coquitlam Community Calendar. Due to the success of this project, the City of Port Coquitlam continued this Naturally PoCo theme until 2022.
This year, in recognition of Port Coquitlam’s 100th May Days, the banners depict images of past May Days. Archival photos from the last 100 years will be featured on banners throughout the City, the Port Coquitlam Community Centre and City Hall, creating a fun and festive atmosphere of the centennial event. The photos provide a glimpse into the people, places, and events that have made their mark on the history of the City’s May Days celebration.
Some banners feature May Queens like Helen Berry, crowned the first year the Women’s Institute organized the event in 1925, and Victorine Young, shown in 1929 enthroned among flowers. The banners will also feature important PoCo May Day traditions such as the Rotary May Day Parade and the Royal Party procession.
PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives provided the May Day images for this project. Digitized photos from their collection for the May Days banners can be viewed online at pocoheritage.org.
Port Coquitlam’s Community Banner Program contributes to the beautification of the City by sharing a positive and distinctive image of our community. Thank you to the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (PoCo BIA) for their support of the printing costs.
As in past years, the banners are printed on recyclable material with eco-friendly inks.
The banners will be up for one year and a new set of designs will be printed next year. When they are removed, they will be recycled into shopping bags and other useful objects by schools and non- profit groups.
Full May Days event details are available at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.
Lesley Perrie
Public Art & Community Engagement Specialist
Tel 604.927.8442
Email perriel@portcoquitlam.ca
