When a Jasper institution celebrates a major anniversary, it鈥檚 a big deal.
When a whole host of Jasper businesses and organizations all have major anniversaries on the same year, it鈥檚 something to celebrate.
For Jasper, 2014 is that year.
Beginning with the 50th anniversary of both Marmot Basin and the Jasper Tramway and continuing with the 100th anniversary of the Visitor Information Centre, the 30th anniversary of the Friends of Jasper, the 25th anniversary of the Jasper in January festival and many others, the town is set for a year of celebrations.
It seems unreal that so many important Jasper anniversaries would fall on the same year, but Leigh Abra of Tourism Jasper has seen the list.
鈥淭he more people we talk to the more of these anniversaries pop up,鈥� she said.
Now, Abra wants to capitalize on the surreal coincidence and use it to draw more people to the town.
Kymberely Hill, also from Tourism Jasper, said she hopes businesses will jump on board as well. She encourages them to run specials, decorate their shop windows or hold themed sales, tying them all in to 鈥淛asper Celebrates.鈥�
鈥淲e want to encourage businesses to tell their own historic narratives,鈥� she said, explaining that if everyone in town gets on board it will create a great celebratory atmosphere.
鈥淲e want the town to have a really cool celebration vibe all year long,鈥� she said.
Jasper has a long and incredible history, Abra explains. Having so many reminders of that history pop up in the same year provides a perfect opportunity to highlight it, and get people reinvested in the town.
And while it is a great opportunity to draw more tourists to town over the winter, with organizations like the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade celebrating important anniversaries as well, it鈥檚 also a great time for Jasper residents to look back and reconnect with their own community history.
