Archives Features Vic High Royalty

A highlight of Victoria’s former Jaycee Fair, held in the old Memorial Arena and adjacent area on the May long weekend, was the Miss Victoria pageant. We can only imagine the excitement around the Vic High halls when one of our own was announced at the big Saturday night show as Miss Victoria. Sunday Miss Victoria was crowned on the steps of the BC Legislature alongside her two princesses, and Monday hers was always the first float in the popular Victoria Day Parade.

Archives Club Grade 11 students Sam Lilas and Sereia Felipe-Alves were inspired by the beautiful dress worn by Miss Victoria 1959, Vivi Petersen,  while helping unpack the Vic High Archives collections when Vic High re-opened. They suggested it as the focal point of a Miss Victoria display, and helped set it up. It remains in place until February 10, when Sam and Sereia will create a Vic High Sweethearts display, also their idea!

1959:  Vivi Petersen                           1961: Nina Holden                        1962:  Synnove Pettersen

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jaycee Fair was produced annually by the Victoria Junior Chamber of Commerce, a local community service group that also produced the Santa Ship event and created the Welcome to Victoria sign on the Inner Harbour Causeway. The Fair began in 1949 and ran until the 1980s, featuring amusement rides, midway attractions, big-name entertainers, and was the highlight of many a young Victoria resident’s life. It was held in the Arena, the Curling Club, and the parking lot of the old Memorial Arena over the long week-end in May. The Arena has since been replaced by the Save-On Memorial Centre and the Victoria Police Department now occupies part of that city block.

Contestants for Miss Victoria were encouraged to enter the competition, some by their friends, some who attended a local charm school, and some via UVic’s Martlet newspaper.

Jaycees Search for Ideal Girl

The Victoria Junior Chamber of Commerce is now engaged in its annual pursuit of the typical Canadian girl. This girl symbolizes the youth of our nation – their dreams, ambitions and ideals. She is a Canadian citizen and a Victoria resident. She has never been married. She has good character, and possesses poise, personality, charm, and beauty of face and figure. And she is talented.

Vic High Student Voted May Queen

Basic information found online would indicate that the Miss Victoria pageant may have replaced the annual choosing and crowning of a May Queen in the city. In 1946, Vic High student Rosemary Hurst, was chosen as May Queen, sponsored by the local Majorette Coffee Shop and elected by the local community. Here’s her 1946 Camosun write-up:

 

 

Click on each name to read more:    Vivi Petersen,    Nina Holden,    Synnove Pettersen