Come home and party!
Virden's 125th anniversary homecoming party will be held June 29, June 30 & July 1, 2007. Don't miss it!This website is a one-stop information guide for this celebration. Please check back regularly for more details on registration, events, accommodations and general information.
Schedule of eventsClick on the above heading to see the latest information on the special events being planned!
ReunionsNURSES REUNION - Saturday June 30/07 in the Virden Hospital Board Room from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Contact person: Eileen Blakemore - 748-1770
VIRDEN OILERS' ALUMNI - Saturday June 30/07. Alumni baseball game at 2:00pm and get-together at VIP tent beside curling rink to follow. Contact persons: Jack Day - 748-1894 and Ian Whyte - 748-2287
Hillside School Reunion - Class of 49/50 - Meet on Saturday evening June 30th at the home of John and Diane Janzen - 282 Princess St. E. at approx. 7:30pm. Further info from Evelyn Brennand 845-2633 or Noreen Baskerville 845-2611
Class of 1959 - Meet on Saturday June 30th from 10:00am - 11:00am at the Elegant Moose - 332 7th Ave. S.
Contact person: Virginia Goodridge - 748-2449
Class of 1960 - graduates, former classmates and spouses are meeting in the Multi-purpose Room, Virden Collegiate (behind the library, main floor) on Saturday June 30, from 10am to 12 noon. Contact persons: Carol Chrisp 748-1973 and Margaret Anne Heaman 748-1408.
CLASS OF 1961/62 - Gather at the "Meet and Greet" tent located between the CP Station and the Market Garden Saturday June 30 at 11:30am. Contact person: Fern Hanson 748-2253
CLASS OF 1964 - Meet in the Grand Central Hotel lounge from 3:00pm - 5:00pm on Saturday June 30/07.
Contact persons: Pat(Horner) Lyons - 748-6634 and Mary(Grose) Robertson - 728-9925
CLASS OF 1969 - Reunion in the Legion Club Room at 10:00am on Saturday June 30/07. Contact persons: Linda Lane - 748-1002 and Marilyn Schur - 748-2777
CLASS OF 1970 - Come and See Who's Home. Meet at 10:30am on Saturday June 30th at the Grand Central Hotel. Contact person: John Liefso e-mail: dliefso@mts.net
CLASS OF 1972 - Attention Grads! This is our 35th Anniversary, so let's plan to meet during the VCI School tour at the Collegiate on Saturday, June 30th at 3:00 o'clock in the Gym. This will give us all a chance to connect or reconnect with our old school chums that we may otherwise miss during this busy weekend. Hope to see you there! Contact Cathy Tough 748-3136 or Linda McNeill lindamac@rfnow.com
CLASS OF 1973 - This reunion will take place on Friday June 29th at 7:30pm at the home of John and Dianne Liefso - 320 Princess St.W. (across from the back of the Junior High School).
Contact person: Dianne Liefso 748-1211 or e-mail: dliefso@mts.net
CLASS OF 1977 - 30 Year Reunion - Meet at the clubhouse of the Virden Wellview Golf Course from 3:00pm - 6:00pm on Saturday, June 30/07. Contact person: Leanna Russell - 748-7788
CLASS OF 1986 -Get together at the home of Wayne Chacun 266 Galt Street W. On Saturday June 30 after 8:00pm. Contact person: Wayne Chacun 748-2872
CLASS OF 1987 - 20 year reunion. contact person:Kristie Williams - 748-1599
CLASS OF 1997 - VCI Grad 1997 10 Year Reunion. The reunion will be held on Saturday June 30 at 4:00pm onwards at 320 Princess St.W. (John & Dianne Liefso's Property). Contact person: Amanda Smith 748-7088
EDUCATORS REUNION and RECEPTION - All present and former educators from Virden and area schools are invited to attend a reception from 12:00 noon - 3:00pm in the Virden Collegiate Music Room (on the main floor). There is no charge and refreshments are courtesy of the Southwest Assiniboine Chapter of the Retired Teachers' Association. Memorabilia (pictures, etc.) ca be brought either to share or to leave for inclusion in the Book of Memories. Contact persons: Fred Cole - 748-1201 and Joyce Cawston - 748-2708
SCHOOL REUNION - there will be tours of Goulter School, Mary Montgomery School, Virden Junior High, and Virden Collegiate from 10:00am - 12:00 noon on Saturday June 30/07. Also from 2:00pm - 4:00pm there will be a general registration for former students and staff of all the schools to be held at VCI. Come out and renew old acquaintences and rekindle old memories. Contact person: Kay Kristjanson - 748-2808
VIRDEN OPTIMIST CLUB REUNION - Virden Optimist Club is celebrating its 30th Anniversary and invites all present and former members and their families to a barbecue at lot #35 next to the firepit from 3:00pm - 7:00pm on July 1/07. Contact person: Kel Smith - 748-3321
FIRE FIGHTERS REUNION - The Wallace District Fire Station Number 1 is having a reunion at the Virden Fire Hall on Friday June 29th from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. For info contact Gary Mahoney(748-3054) or email at: wdfd1@mts.net
THE HERBIE'S DURGEONS FASTBALL TEAM REUNION - Gather on Friday June 29 at 4:00pm at the home of Don and Susan Gray -- 658 Seymour St.W. Please R.S.V.P. to Don at 748-3340 or Robbie Woolridge at 748-1163.
Sacred Heart CWL Reunion Tea - Sacred Heart CWL will be hosting a CWL reunion tea on Friday, June 29th, 2007 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm at Sacred Heart Parish Centre. All Cwl members, past and present, are invited to attend. The general public is also welcome. Contact person: Lea Colbeck 748-2587
Pacific School District Reunion - Present and former Pacific residents are invited to a coffee time from 10:00am to 12:00noon Saturday June 30th at the Youth Training Centre (former Pacific School) across from the Virden Fire Hall on Thomas Drive. Pacific Willing Workers are compiling a Pacific School District scrapbook and invite you to bring along any photos or memorabilia of related events. For further information, call Laura Reid 748-1598
Neighborhood Reunion - All present and former neighbors and friends of Ray & Laurette Bonner are invited to meet at their home on Friday June 29th at 10:00am for coffee, tea and friendship. For more info you can call Laurette or Ray at 748-3842
McLean Clan Luncheon - Descendants of Lauchlan McLean are invited to a reunion luncheon hosted by Pat, Kathi, Laura and Linda from 12:00 to 2:00pm on Saturday June 30th in the Evergreen Place lounge - 257 Hargrave St.E. For further information call Pat Mitchell at 748-1879
Map of VirdenHere's where you'll find the parade route and sites of all the festivities!
How To RegisterThe Registration/Hospitality Centre will be located in the Legion Hall at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Wellington Street West. The hours are:
Thursday, June 28: 4 - 10 pm
Friday, June 29: 10 am - 8 pm
Saturday, June 30: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, July 1: closed
Also available at the Legion are:
additional event tickets, pick
up of pre-purchased advance tickets,
visiting area and coffee bar,
tourist information and brochures,
Legion licensed lounge, and
a message board to contact friends.
Advance Ticket SalesTo get your Advance Tickets you must order them by filling out the Registration Form on this site or by contacting:
Virden 125 Homecoming Committee
P.O. Box 899
Virden, MB R0M 2C0 ----- to obtain a hard copy of the registration form.
Tickets are available in advance for two meals and two dances.
Seniors 70+ Banquet and Entertainment: Friday, June 29, 5 pm at the Curling Rink. $5.00 each. Admission limited to the first 750 paid tickets.
Homecoming Dance: Friday, June 29 at Virden Arena, music by Econoline Crush with Trevor Hayhurst. Admission limited to the first 1500 paid tickets. Must be 18 years or older to attend. Photo ID required at the door. $15.00 each in advance, at the registration centre, or at the door.
Barbecue Supper: Saturday, June 30, 5:30 pm at Virden Arena. Adults $10; children under 12 years $5. Admission limited to the first 1500 paid tickets.
Reunion Dance: Saturday, June 30 at Virden Arena, music by The Ron Paley Band. Admission limited to the first 1500 paid tickets. Must be 18 years or older to attend. Photo ID required at the door. $15.00 each in advance, at the registration centre, or at the door.
Don't be left out!
Get your advance tickets by using the Registration form on this web site or by contacting:
Virden 125 Homecoming Committee
P.O. Box 899
Virden, MB R0M 2C0
Tickets must be paid for when ordered.
Your cancelled cheque will be your receipt and the pre-purchased advance tickets will be available for pick-up at the Registration Centre in the Legion Hall during the Homecoming Weekend.
Accommodations available in the areaUse this link to access our list of available accommodations in the Virden area. These range from campgrounds to four-star hotels. Contact information is provided.
Please make your accommodation arrangements early to avoid disappointment!
A list of homeowners willing to take in boarders for the weekend will be available upon request to those unable to book accommodations.
Let all your friends know!Virden and Area Residents Please Note: Check the Empire Advance for information on how you can help spread the word about this time of celebration.
Cards and registration forms are available to place in your letters to let your friends and relatives know the dates of the homecoming and some of the events that are being planned. These cards will guide any interested person to this website where they will be regularly informed of events and information concerning the homecoming celebration.
These cards and registration forms are available at the Virden branch of Border Regional Library, Virden School and Office Supplies, Super Thrifty Drug Mart and the Virden Town Office.
Volunteers wanted!This committee is looking for volunteers. If you are at all interested in helping to plan Virden's 125th homecoming celebration, please contact one of the members listed below.
If you have any ideas or suggestions about events that you would like to see for this celebration, please let one of the committee members know.
To learn more please contact: Glen McKinnon (748-3872) or Jim Lyons (748-6634)
How to contact usIf you can't find the information you need to know on this website, you can send an email inquiry to the planning committee using the link above.
If you prefer to use the postal service, you can write to:
Virden 125 Homecoming Committee
P.O. Box 899
Virden, MB R0M 2C0
If you prefer to telephone, call or fax 1-204-748-3955.
SponsorsPlatinumTundra Oil and Gas Partnership Four Season's Sales Enerplus Resources Fund
Meyers Norris Penny LLP Virden Area Foundation Town of Virden
Don Penny Four Seasons Island Resort
Daryl Ritchie Manitoba Telecom Services(MTS)
Katjumac Building Supplies Higginbotham Electric
GoldRick's Well Servicing Virden Autobody Virden Credit Union
Valleyview Coop Jim Treliving - Boston Pizza Central Hotel
Jays Inns and Suites Andrew Agencies Ltd Fountain Tire
Gardewine North Baker PetroLite Mainline Motors
Jim Leckie and Assoc. Virden Empire-Advance Great Western Tong Services(1987)Ltd Wayne Morsky - Industrial Services Ltd.
Linbar Construction
SilverBigway Foods Enbridge Pipelines Martin's Pharmacy
Midwestern Redi-Mix Concrete Larry Maguire MLA Bob Lane Enterprises
CIBC Cosens Drilling Ltd D.B.Higginbotham Electric Ltd
Fontana's Trucking 2006 Ltd RBC Royal Bank Royal Canadian Legion No.8 Terry McLean Art Gallery Spark's Oilfield Service Ltd Sparks Sand and Gravel Ltd
BronzeChacun Construction G.R.Carscadden Funeral Home Kinniard Electronics
Manitoba Liquor Commission McNeill,Harasymchuk,McConnell Nu-Art Beauty Salon
M & M ESSO Virden Hi-Way Grocery Sports Place - Virden Footwear
Don Heritage Ltd Dr. David Cochrane Virden Home Center Ltd
Morris Sales and Service Scotiabank Coca-Cola Ltd
Nield Bros. Ford Cross Plumbing and Heating Your Dollar Store With More Morsky Construction Don Whitby
FriendsBruce & Bev Bailey & family Fleck's Meat Market Renards Meat Services Ltd
Gerald McDole Wolverine Supplies Trans Canada Bearing & Machine Ltd
Marjorie Russell Alexandra Hotel