A summer to remember: Representing McMaster at Expo ’67
Her summer in Montreal 'was one of the most thrilling of my life,' says Margie Woodgate, who was selected to represent Canada's youth at Expo '67 during Canada's centennial.
It was the summer of love. Flower children were flocking to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury. The rock musical Hair opened on Broadway. And Montreal was hosting Expo ’67.
For Margie (McInnes) Woodgate, a 20-year-old undergraduate, it was also the opportunity of a lifetime. One of three McMaster students selected to represent the nation’s youth, she worked that summer in the Canadian pavilion of the legendary world exposition.
“Montreal was such a terrific place to celebrate Canada’s centennial,” says Woodgate. “One night going home, we sang the national anthem in the metro station because we were so happy to be part of the celebrations. Time magazine reported that Canadian youth burst into song!”
Considered one of the most successful of the 20th century, Expo ’67 showcased the history, geography and culture of Canada. It welcomed 62 nations and set a single-day attendance record for world’s fairs, with 569,500 visitors on its third day.
One of eight area supervisors, Woodgate supervised up to 20 hosts and hostesses. She met with Expo officials, accompanied visits from dignitaries, and even met Nelson Rockefeller and Prince Philip. She likens the excitement of that summer to “the pride we all felt as Canadians hosting the Olympics in Vancouver. We do have a wonderful country.”
Woodgate, who graduated from McMaster with an honours BA in 1968 and a master’s in 1969, pursued a career as a high school and college teacher, before joining her sons on their entrepreneurial venture. She has many other great memories from her time on campus. For example, she met her husband of 45 years at a Pyjama Parade and she won the title of “Snow Queen” at the winter dance of 1968.
“To keep me down-to-earth, my mom sent me a newspaper clipping about a winner who had divorced three times, lost her job, etc. Those were memorable days!”
To top it off, one of her sons also graduated from McMaster. “It’s such a pleasure to return to the place that was so important in our lives,” she says.
To read about other great memories of Mac, have a look at our cover story in the fall issue of the McMaster Times alumni magazine.
