Provincial pride shines through centennial celebrations: following is the seventh of an eight-part series in commemoration of Saskatchewan's 100th anniversary, appearing exclusively in Saskatchewan Business Magazine.

A traffic jam made one of the best days of Glenn Hagel's life even better.

Like thousands of others in cities and towns around the province it took Hagel, chair of Saskatchewan Centennial 2005, a little extra time to get home after the fireworks on September 4. Thankfully it was a typical Saskatchewan traffic jam--relatively short and populated by people in good spirits.

"I was fortunate enough to have spent the entire day with my family and in talking when we got home after the fireworks I said it had been one of the best days of my life," Hagel recalls. "I was really tickled that the fireworks all went off at the same time everywhere, at 9:39 p.m., and that over 300,000 people had taken them in."

Hagel's sense of belonging and his appreciation of being part of something bigger, something very special, inspired a feeling that 'it just doesn't get any better than this.' Those feelings, he believes, were stirred about and echoed across Saskatchewan during the centennial.

"We have a reputation of being proud but quiet," the Moose Jaw MLA says. "The centennial celebrations saw a significant boost in provincial pride and I think one of the legacies of the centennial will be greater expressions of being proud out loud."

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"I'm optimistic there will be a shift in attitude and a shift in the way we think and act when it comes to Saskatchewan, recognizing this is a great place to live, invest, retire and play."

The celebration definitely struck a chord says Centennial 2005 executive director of marketing and communication Cathy-Ann Molnar. Polling indicates 71 per cent of Saskatchewanians participated in at least one event and 95 per cent awareness of the centennial.

"There was a very high level of engagement," Molnar says, noting organizers expected the centennial would be popular and planned accordingly. "The results have been incredible and all of our expectations have been exceeded."

People carried the celebration everywhere they went, whether it was attending a Rider tailgate party in another city or wearing a centennial patch when they represented Saskatchewan. There was plenty of coverage in out-of-province media and the Web site, www.sask2005.ca, has attracted half a million visitors.

More than 2,500 businesses were involved in Centennial 2005 and there was lots of activity by large companies, Molnar says. Big, province-wide events were hosted by companies with multiple locations such as Tim Hortons, McDonald's and A & W while Canada Post, Great West Brewing Company, Westjet, the province's RV dealers and the Credit Unions were just some of the businesses that showed their connection to Saskatchewan.

"Hundreds of independent business owners participated in whatever way they could, from decorating their place of business to promoting Centennial 2005 merchandise," Molnar says, declaring the merchandise line a hit because "people were proud to wear their 100 years of heart on their sleeves."

"We were really impressed with how businesses jumped at the opportunity to show their spirit."

The message was authentic, she says, and Centennial 2005 gave people at the community level a voice.

"It reminded me of days gone by," says Audrey Yee, Swift Current and District Centennial 2005 chair and one of the people Molnar has in mind when crediting citizens for buying into the celebration.

"It's been totally Saskatchewan-style," Yee says. "It's unbelievable the way everyone just pitched in and helped out. I'm so proud of Saskatchewan people."

Yee believes volunteers made the centennial special because 'you can't pay people to do the kinds of things they did.' The media was very helpful, the school system was fabulous for picking up the spirit of the community, and businesses such as the Co-op, Safeway and the Credit Union were invaluable.

"I was astonished at the generosity they showed," Yee says. "Working with these companies was an excellent opportunity for me to learn the real value of partnering."

The soul of Centennial 2005, Hagel asserts, was community involvement. People viewed the homecomings as core events and many spent their summer holidays making every one of the 191 homecomings across Saskatchewan successful.

"Some of the smaller communities literally tripled their populations during homecoming celebrations," Hagel says. "Everywhere you went people were looking for extra pancake batter."

The notion of visiting a place in Saskatchewan you've never been really caught on, he says, and sparked a lot of extra internal travel. The tourism industry was stimulated and there were significant spin-off benefits for the entire economy.

"In terms of value for the money spent, it is my view that it was money very well spent," Hagel says. Putting the approximately $20 million of government funding in perspective, Molnar says the $20 per person average must be considered as an investment that had a tremendous ripple effect and resulted in a 76 per cent overall public satisfaction rating.

"Part of the legacy is the number of capital projects related to the centennial," Hagel says, estimating completed and proposed projects spending at $140 million. "In true Saskatchewan style those have been very practical projects that will endure well into the next hundred years."

Celebrations were relevant and organizers worked hard to make sure events were inclusive, Molnar says. The weather disrupted a few events--most notably flooding that altered the Centennial Canoe Quest--but people dealt with changes and proved 'nothing could dampen our spirits.'

After a very busy year--and especially since the core day of celebrations passed on September 4--many people feel like Centennial 2005 is winding down. Hagel's involvement, however, is on the distinct increase thanks to all the award and recognition ceremonies.

"It was an awesome summer," and a tremendous honour to be part of Centennial 2005, Hagel says. "It was great to see all of Saskatchewan in the mood to celebrate."

RELATED ARTICLE: Sokyrka sings Saskatchewan's praises

by Jeff Arthur

"It was something that really appealed to me because I have always worked with kids," Theresa Sokyrka says of the offer to be Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Youth Ambassador. "Looking back on it now I can say I've had the time of my life getting to know these kids."

"It really is the most rewarding thing I've ever done."

Quite a statement, considering life to this point for the Saskatoon singer-songwriter. National celebrity pales compared to school visits in places like Swift Current, Gull Lake and La Ronge.

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"I just got back from a trip to Northern Saskatchewan and it really puts things into perspective. If you let it into your heart it will change you. It changed me."

Sokyrka hopes she returned the favour to the school kids, both through her presence and through the songs she wrote and sang. The kids were so excited to see her that she knows her visit helped put a spark in their eyes.

"It's nice to be able to draw from your own experiences and show them you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself," Sokyrka says, discussing her role both as part and personification of Centennial 2005: "I really believe a lot of people opened their minds up to what they can be and to what this province can be."

Sokyrka anticipated people would greet her warmly and those expectations were fulfilled in every corner of the province. She was, however, surprised at the changing landscape and after seeing the lakes and forests she doesn't 'call Saskatchewan the prairies any more.'

Long trips gave her time to talk to people who have traveled extensively within the province. Talks with Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock combined with visits to children in remote areas, have given her insight she believes can't help but shine through in her song writing.

"I've had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful people," Sokyrka says. "Through all this, there was something in me that I felt changed."