Cambridge turns 50 this year. Here's how the city plans to mark the milestone

Cambridge, Ont., turns 50 this year, and the city has a slew of events planned and a new anniversary logo to mark the significant milestone.

It was Jan.1, 1973, that the city of Galt and the towns of Hespeler, Preston and Blair were amalgamated to form Cambridge.

Official celebrations will kick off during the city's winter levee on Feb.18, said Julie Kalbfhleish, director of communications for the city.

"The goal over the next year is to look for ways to boost that civic pride to celebrate what's distinguishable about our community," she told CBC News.

"To celebrate things like our history, our heritage, but also to look ahead to where we're going."

Kalbfleish said there will be skating, music, food and lots of activities for families during the February's winter levee.

She said the goal is to also use existing events to promote the city's anniversary and they're looking ahead to Canada Day, summer camps and other opportunities like parenting with local breweries and restaurants.

"We have neighbourhood groups who have approached us with interest in launching their own 50th celebrations that will [also] be coming in the spring," she said.

Special logo to mark 50 years

In addition to local events, the city has a new 50th-anniversary logo designed by graphic design students at Conestoga College, Julia Boss-Zister and Keri Ryan.

The design was part of a school project that paired Boss-Zister, who was in her second year at the time, and Ryan who was in first year. The idea was for students to create a logo that would be presented to city staff and then have community members vote on which logo was best.

Two thousand votes later, and the pair's design was picked. 

"It was very surprising to me and I'm super grateful to have the opportunity for our logo to be chosen," said Ryan, adding she also learned a lot about what it's like to work with a client.

Boss-Zister and Ryan said they did extensive research into Cambridge's history and significant landmarks, such as the different downtown bridges and the river, for example.

Boss-Zister, who grew up in Waterloo, also tapped into family members who live in Cambridge for inspiration. After a few drafts and guidance from their teacher, Boss-Zister and Ryan landed on their final design.

"Our feedback from teachers was to try something to do with a mobius strip or loop, and we took that and ran with it in trying to incorporate the visualization of three separate areas and coming together as one," Boss-Zister said.