Historical Tidbits

YCMF-KFPA HISTORICAL TRIVIA

Three classes of rock band competition were offered in the 1971 festival. The three rock classes were designed for elementary, secondary and professional class musicians. This marked the first time the festival offered a class for rock musicians.

Source: Kamloops Sentinel – January 27, 1971

On the final session of the 1949 YCMF, the ‘Standing Room Only’ sign was hung outside the 1,000 seat Elks Auditorium when pupils, parents, participants and the public gathered to enjoy what was unanimously considered a huge success!

Source: Kamloops Sentinel – April 4, 1949

Some youth took great lengths to attend the 1950 festival. A bus load of 35 school children from Bridge Lake and Fawn in the Southern Cariboo left Bridge Lake at 5 am, travelling 30 miles out to the Cariboo Highway at 93 Mile House, thence to Kamloops, a distance of 150 miles. It was reported some of the youngsters had walked two miles over snowy paths to catch the bus bringing them to town, and this at the early hour of 5 a.m. They were accommodated in the Salvation Army Citadel under arrangements made by the festival’s reception committee.

Source: Kamloops Sentinel – April 17, 1950

“Nothing illustrates this city’s need for a comprehensive civic complex better than the situation surrounding the two-week YCMF which opens this week. Partly because of the lack of adequate facilities, the competitions are having to take place in three separate halls during the days with the addition of a school audience in the evening. We say partly the reason because the organizers of the festival also have the problem of accommodating record numbers of competitors anxious to put their musical talents against those of their fellows.”

Source: April 22, 1970 – Kamloops Daily News

Some adjudicators felt comfortable expressing their personal opinions, one example being Edward Lincoln, the piano adjudicator at the 1970 festival.

“I find it ‘appalling’ that 2,200 people would attend a single performance of the indoor rodeo while only 20 people show up to hear talented youngsters at the musical festival.”

Source: Kamloops News Advertiser – May 13, 1970

The 2002 festival attracted 3,000 student performers. Aside from the committee of 17 that works year-round, there were 126 volunteers who, over a period of three weeks, showed to fill 243 three-hour shifts to maintain our seven venues. Without them, there would be no festival!

Source: Kamloops Daily News – April 10, 2002

Since its development nine decades ago the festival has registered 91,500 entries, which translates to 270,000 participants. The most entries received in a single year was 2,050 entries in 1983.

Source: YCMF/KFPA Programs – 1930 through 2024

Those whom have supported the festival include a cast of thousands! Local service clubs and fraternal societies deserve special mention for the pivotal role they’ve played in supporting the festival throughout its nine decades. Through thick and thin, ups and downs, they’ve generously donated scholarships and trophies: The list includes, but is not limited to, Canadian Daughter’s League, Canadian Legion, Excelsior Rebekah Lodge #23 I.O.O.F, Fort Kamloops Branch I.O.D.E., Gyro Club of Kamloops, Kamloops Council of Women, Kamloops Business and Professional Women’s Club, Kamloops Elks Lodge #44, Kamloops Operatic Society, Kamloops Lions and Lioness Clubs, Rotary Club, Kamloops Registered Music Teachers, Kinsmen Club, Royal Order of Purple, Sons of Norway Leif Erickson, Soroptimist International of Kamloops, St. Andrew’s Caledonian Society, Tatnai Lodge #9, The Overlander Women’s Institute.

Source: YCMF/KFPA Programs – 1930 through 2024

Due to the generosity of personal citizens, local business organizations and service clubs, the YCMF/KFPA has awarded hundreds upon hundreds of trophies to participants. You may recognize some of the names inscribed on the trophies, some trophies which may very well lay hidden in boxes stored in basements and attics throughout the region. A small sampling of cups/trophies include: AN McMurdo Memorial, AW Jackson, Ashcroft Orchestra, Buckerfields, Burris Clinic, Elva Cook, Garrod Cup, Jardines Hardware, Ida Lawrence, J. Eric Sowerby, Kamloops Board of Trade, J. Furiak, Judy Piper, McCurragh, McDiarmid, Olive Gurney. If you happen to find a Steve Andrews trophy hidden away, it means someone you know earned the coveted honour of top mark of the entire festival.

Source: YCMF/KFPA Programs – 1930 through 2024