In Case You Missed It This year, the Hamlet of Brownvale celebrated its 100th anniversary in a big way!
With three days of entertainment, events and activities, local and surrounding community members had a chance to reminisce and come together to celebrate and honour the well-known hamlet within the Municipal District of Peace No. 135.
From August 18 to 20, Brownvale’s planning committee organized and put on countless hours of fun. Throughout the three days of action, many tributes were made to the hamlet’s long-standing years in the area, and people from all over the Peace Region sought out the event.
Opening ceremonies started Friday evening with wine and cheese, performances by the Duncan Dancers and the Alleycat’z Skipping Club and a silent auction.
Saturday’s festivities began in the morning and ran all day. Residents and visitors were greeted with a local market, wagon rides, tours of the church and museum, children’s crafts and games, a parade, a car show and shine, face painting, jam sessions, lawnmower races and a banquet in the evening.
The centennial celebration concluded on Sunday with a pancake breakfast, church service and live music at noon.
Many people attended the weekend-long event and enjoyed sharing stories of their heritage and ties to the century-old community.
Brownvale originated in the early 1920s when the railway was extended from Berwyn to Whitelaw. Soon after, the first grain elevator was erected, and the hamlet continued to grow with its first grocery store and post office.
In the 1950s, Brownvale began to thrive with many businesses, three churches, a curling and skating rink, ball diamonds, a library and a community hall. A new school was eventually built that housed grades one to twelve, and a gymnasium was later added on to accommodate more students.
At its peak, Brownvale boasted two general stores, multiple gas stations and an equipment dealership. As the local industry demands changed over the years, so did the hamlet.
With agriculture at its core, Brownvale relied on the many farmers in the area to keep it afloat and running. Once the grain elevators were no longer standing and the railroad was removed, many amenities and services began to dwindle and close.
Now, Brownvale is a welcoming community with an active group of residents who host many events throughout the year.
The local library is well run with frequent visitors, and the agricultural museum recently opened back up for people to browse and enjoy.
Brownvale may look different than it has in the past, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is its friendly atmosphere, strong community and deep rural roots.
Article by Dani Wearden | Photography submitted by Alynn Mitchell