Woodstock Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II

Wednesday, 9 September 2015 07:24

"Long Live the Queen" - she's done just that. Queen Elizabeth is now the longest reigning British monarch.

WOODSTOCK - Woodstock is celebrating Queen Elizabeth II as she becomes the longest reigning British monarch.

One of the locations marking the occasion is Old Saint Paul's Church. They are teaming up with the Monarchist League of Canada to recognize the special day. Coordinator of the celebration, Shirley Woodall, says if you hear bells at around noon today, make sure you count them. "It will be tolled 64 times because Elizabeth is in her 64th year of reign." They will also be hosting a tea at the church starting at 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. They are encouraging residents to come out and sign a card they will be sending along to Buckingham Palace to congratulate the Queen.

But that's not the only location in the Friendly City playing homage to the royal. The Woodstock Museum is also hosting their own celebration on Friday. Woodstock Museum Curator and Manager of Culture for the City of Woodstock Karen Houston says this really is a big occasion. "Well I think that we've had Queen Elizabeth on the throne for so long people, especially of my generation, they haven't known any other monarch and the fact is she came to the throne in the early 50s and we're actually celebrating the fact that she's been on the throne longer than any other British Monarch."

The afternoon tea happening at the Woodstock Museum on Friday encourages everyone to get into the spirit and break out your best fascinator. "She was indeed coronated in the early 50s so if you were alive then, you can dress to impress by what you would have worn then or just what your best outfit is for today. This is meant to be fun - it's fun, and silly, and just a good time. But if grandmas want to bring their granddaughters out and dress up a little bit or something, than that's good fun too."

That tea happens from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and costs $15. You can also test your royal smarts with trivia about Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.