The sounds of Douglas Day are familiar in Fort Langley, from the pattering of rain to the skirling of bagpipes, and in recent years, the ringing tone of steel drums.

On Saturday, the foundation of British Columbia was celebrated at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, where Governor James Douglas read a proclamation creating a new colony in 1858.

The White Spot Pipe Band led a handful of marchers from the Fort Langley Community Hall down Glover Road and Mavis Avenue to the historic site just after noon. It was also just after the skies had opened, leaving the marchers soaked and the viewers huddling under store awnings.

At the fort, organizers, local dignitaries, and members of the Guyanese-Canadian community celebrated the first governor of what was at first a British Colony.

Governor James Douglas was a Hudson's Bay Company trader, born in what is now Guyana.

Event organizer Bays Blackhall brought greetings from provincial officials.

Fort interpreters dressed as Douglas and B.C.'s first judge, Matthew Baillie Begbie, read a rapid and rhyming interpretation of the proclamation.

Clyde Duncan of the Guyanese Canadian Cultural Association and Neville Thomas of the Organization of Caribbean Cultural Associations. Duncan brought greetings from Samuel Hines, the Guyanese prime minister.

Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman noted Douglas's achievements, from his days travelling around western North America as a trader to his work as governor.

The official Douglas Day is Nov. 19 every year.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com