Come Sunday, Nov. 11, Judith Hutson may be torn between what one of two things will be making her feel prouder.
It could be her grandfather’s First World War medals she plans on pinning to her chest for the first time.
Or it could be standing back and seeing up to 1,500 people crammed into city hall for the Remembrance Day reception, immediately following the service at the cenotaph.
For the eighth year in a row, Hutson has organized the reception and she couldn’t have imagined how popular it has become.
“It’s my dream to see so many people there; I couldn’t see this back in 2010, when 150 people showed up. I thought that was a big number back then.” said Hutson.
Hutson first got in contact with the City of Richmond back in 2009, when she suggested a whole bunch of improvements to the event that year.
The following year, she got her own post-cenotaph reception off the ground, with the help of multiple sponsors and, of course, the city.
“Last year, there was between 1,200 and 1,500 people, it was incredible,” said Hutson, who usually starts preparing and planning the event in July.
“I have to say, the city has been fantastic; they’ve recognized this is a major event and, among other things, is sponsoring the tea, coffee and hot chocolate, which is significant with more than 1,000 people attending.
“Every year, I go to our sponsors with a great deal of trepidation, as it’s quite an undertaking to do this every year. But they have been absolutely lovely.
“And the Friends of the Richmond Archives will, once again, have an amazing display, especially with it being the 100th anniversary of Armistice.”
Such is the popularity of the event, the city is arranging for a tent to be erected outside city hall, complete with refreshments, to take some of the pressure away from inside.
As well as the hot drinks supplied by the city, several bakeries and caterers – Diplomat, Broadmoor and Steveston bakeries and The Butler Did It caterers – are donating hundreds of sweet treats for the guests.
The Richmond Peace Children’s Choir will also be providing entertainment.
