Celebrating2017 A Year to Remember

Celebrating2017 - A Year to Remember

The City of Windsor had much to celebrate in 2017 – the city marked its milestone 125th birthday, while also commemorating the 150th anniversary of Ontario and Canada. The goal of the Celebrating2017 initiative was to bring together municipal government, businesses, organizations, community groups and the public to celebrate those important heritage milestones for our city, province and country ... all to help make Windsor the place to be in 2017.

Signature Events

As part of Celebrating2017, the City of Windsor organized or hosted several Signature Events – inclusive, immersive, interactive and energizing can't-miss events that offered unforgettable experiences all year long. These included:

• Opening of the Centennial "W" Time Capsule
• Windsor in 1867 and 1967 – A Sesquicentennial Exhibit" at the Chimczuk Museum
• Planting and blooming of Canada 150 Tulip Gardens across the city
• 1892 City Council Meeting Re-enactment honouring the city's date of incorporation
• Mayor's Walk along the waterfront to celebrate Windsor's 125th Birthday
• Windsor125 Birthday Celebration and Downtown Street Party
• Raising of the Great Canadian Flag
• Hosting (and winning) the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup (99^th Edition)
• Canada Day 150 Citizenship Ceremony
• Canada Day 150 Parade
• Windsor125 Public Art Installation Unveiling
• SESQUI Exhibition for Canada 150
• Open Streets Windsor – Ontario 150 Celebration
• Ward Walks with Mayor Drew Dilkens
• Meeting Windsor's Centenarians
• Poetry at the Manor – Vol. 5
• "Because We Have All Lived Here" anthology publication by A Group of Seven Poets
• Stories of Sandwich Campaign
• Willistead Manor Holiday Tours
• Celebrating 2017 Mayor's Awards
• #myWindsor2017 Photo Collection Campaign
• Bright Lights Windsor at Jackson Park
• Interfaith Service on New Year's Eve
• Closing of the Centennial "W" Time Capsule (with 25 items added from 2017)

Other Notable Community Commemorations

In addition to Windsor's 125^th birthday, and the 150^th anniversary of Ontario and Canada, as well as a host of Community-led events, there were many other important heritage celebrations for our community in 2017. These included:

• Our Lady of the Assumption Parish – 250^th Anniversary
• Windsor Police Service – 150^th Anniversary
• The Dieppe Raid – 75^th Anniversary
• The Battle of Vimy Ridge – 100^th Anniversary
• St. Clair College – 50^th Anniversary

Legacy Projects

The City of Windsor continued or began work on exciting new legacy projects in 2017 that would dramatically change the landscape of the City. While some of the projects were not directly linked to the heritage milestone celebrations in 2017, they were all an important part of our community's story today, and well into the future. These projects include:

• Improvement of accessibility on the Dieppe River Walk
• Improvement of Willistead Manor
• Expansion of Gino and Liz Marcus Community Complex
• Expansion and rehabilitation of Windsor LOOP Cycling Network Multi-Use Trail
• New City Hall Construction
• Hiram Walker Sculpture
• Chief Tecumseh and General Brock sculpture
• Sandwich Town Roundabout and Arch
• Great Canadian Flag Project
• Master Card Memorial Cup Remembrance Garden

Partners and Sponsors

Our year-long celebrations were possible, in part, through the partnership and sponsorship of many individuals and organizations. The City of Windsor is grateful for support from the following:

• Government of Ontario – Ontario 150 Fund
• Government of Canada – Canada 150 Fund
• Government of Canada – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Fund
• Great Canadian Flag Project Team
• "Together" Exhibition
• WindsorEssex Community Foundation
• 2017 Master Card Memorial Cup
• Caesars Windsor CARES
• snapd Windsor
• AM800 CKLW
• The Windsor Star
• TV Cogeco
• University of Windsor
• St. Clair College
• Windsor Police Service
• Windsor Fire and Rescue
• Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County
• D&D Mascots
• Tim Hortons
• Riverside Windsor Ontario Optimist International Club
• Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI)
• Museum Windsor
• Arts Council Windsor & Region
• Adventure Bay Family Water Park presented by Windsor Family Credit Union
• Windsor Symphony Orchestra
• Art Gallery of Windsor
• South Western Ontario Heritage Council (SWOHC)
• All Saints' Church

And many others...

The Year in Photos

Many of our Celebrating2017 Signature Events and other initiatives were captured by photographers all year long. To relive some of the excitement, please click the links below:

• Canada 150 Tulips.
• Opening of the 1992 Centennial "W" Time Capsule.
• 1892 City Council Re-enactment.
• Happy 125th Birthday, Windsor Messages.
• Mayor's Walk, Windsor125 Birthday Celebration, and the raising of the Great Canadian Flag.
• Windsor125 Public Art Installation Unveiling.
• Canada Day 150 Citizenship Ceremony.
• Canada Day 150 Parade.
• SESQUI Exhibition in Windsor.
• Open Streets Windsor – Ontario 150 Celebration.
• Open Streets Windsor – Ontario 150 Hub.
• New City Hall Cornerstone Dedication Ceremony.
• Poetry at the Manor – Vol. 5.
• Ward Walks.
• Willistead Manor 2017 Holiday Decorations.
• Bright Lights Windsor Opening Ceremony and First Weekend.
• Bright Lights Windsor Second Weekend.
• Re-sealing of the "W" Time Capsule on New Year's Eve.

The Year in Media

Our Celebrating2017 activities were chronicled in over 175 news stories, articles, videos, etc. To take a look at what the community was saying about Celebrating2017, click the link below:

• Celebrating2017 - The Year in Media.

Thank You

The City of Windsor's Celebrating2017 Initiative was funded [in part] by the Government of Canada, the Canada 150 Fund, the Province of Ontario, the Ontario 150 Fund, and the City of Windsor.

Culture Flickr Albums Museum Windsor Mayor Dilkens Website Mayor Dilkens Flickr Albums The Year in Media