Two lines of houses, facing each other day in and day out, with residents passing silently—sometimes exchanging a small wave—for years. Does that sound like your neighborhood? It was ours. Some neighbors knew each other well, while others were newcomers, and some had been living there for over 30 years. But no one knew everyone, and very few had ever really spoken to each other.
Then one day, a neighbor spotted a Neighbourhood Small Grants Columbia Valley poster at the post office. Another neighbor volunteered to write the grant application, and just like that, the planning for a community gathering began!
On Saturday, June 29th, an amazing 44 residents (along with visiting family) from 7th Avenue gathered on the lawn of the Invermere Museum! We had the chance to socialize with neighbors we had only ever seen from a distance, discovered that two neighbors had grown up just an hour apart—across four provinces—and shared laughs as kids searched for “museum ghosts” and hidden treasures. The day included a lively Kicking Horse coffee sack race for the children, as well as a delicious BBQ, salads, and sweets generously provided by the Sobeys grocery store at the end of our street.
Older neighbors shared stories about the history of 7th Avenue, giving newer residents a deeper appreciation for the changes the street has seen over the years. The evening became a beautiful reminder of how special it was to come together as a community.
By the end of the event, as the last burgers were served and the little ones were tucked into bed, everyone expressed heartfelt gratitude for the chance to gather, meet, and share a meal. We will all wave a little more, say a few more words, and feel a bit more connected along our little avenue.
