George Gibson received two wardrobe changes this week, thanks to Town of Gibsons parks crew. “It is always well received by the community,” said Gibsons CAO Emanuel Machado. In honour of Robbie Burns Day on Jan. 25, the crew decked out the British immigrant in tartan and tam o’shanter. He then grew a beard, sported an axe, shield, cape and Viking horns to celebrate the lesser-known Up Helly Aa, a Scottish festival that marks the end of Yule. Wendy Gilbertson, parks and cultural services director, estimates the tradition to have started a dozen years ago as a means to “promote community spirit and mark the various events and occasions.” In 2011, George was turned into a Canucks fan after the team made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They collect deposits from salvaged bottles to pay for the costumes.
