Royal Visit to Edmonton, an eight-year-old boy's story, by Bill Hodgson

Date: June 2, 1939

My birthday. My 8th birthday. Someone important was coming to Edmonton. The King and Queen. Who were they? Why on my birthday?

For several weeks men were building bleachers on all the vacant lots along Whyte Avenue. Tickets were issued at school. Spectators would have their places to sit, as the King and Queen traveled along Whyte Avenue.

Brother Laurie and I watched as the convertible limo passed by and away we went, running behind the limo, up Whyte Avenue to 112 Street, then to the University Hospital, where they visited World War I Vets.

Laurie and I waited until the limo traveled down 87th Avenue to 109 Street and turned left onto the High Level Bridge. We could not keep up so we turned home.

All of this and I wondered why on my birthday, 8 years old.