The wind whispered in the fields along Highway 31 as residents and people from across the prairie gathered to see Marilyn Monroe’s famous dress in Luseland on Monday.
If you were to listen closely, you might hear “Happy Birthday Mr. President…”
The rhinestone-studded dress is on tour in Saskatchewan in part to attract public interest, as well as mark the arrival of Pattison-owned Save-On Foods stores to the province. Billionaire Jim Pattison spent his early years in Luseland. The dress’ first stop on the tour was in Luseland and it will continue to Saskatoon, Regina, Yorkton, and Winnipeg.
“Marilyn Monroe’s dress is a symbol of celebrating President Kennedy’s birthday, and we view it as a symbol of celebration,” said Darrell Jones, president of Save-On Foods’ parent company, Overwaitea Foods.
“We’re here to celebrate 150 years for Canada, we’re here to celebrate the opening of our store in Saskatoon, and we’re celebrating the fact that they’re building a pool here.”
Town councilor Candace Kraft said the dress’s first showing in Luseland as part of the tour was Pattison’s idea.
“He wanted Luseland to be the main spot for the first unveiling, which was very generous of him,” Kraft said.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, which the Pattison Group also owns, acquired the dress for $4.8 million USD in November last year. Pattison was in the news lately for donating $50 million toward a children’s hospital in Saskatoon.
The dress attracted a steady stream of people throughout the day, and 1,017 people signed the guest register. The Town of Luseland took the opportunity to fundraise towards the $1.2 million needed for a new swimming pool project. The Town Office said the plan is to tear out the existing pool and install a new one along with a new building. There was a barbecue, a donation table, silent auction items and a 50/50 draw. Neil Scholer won the $2,500 50/50 prize. Photos from a local photographer were also sold, along with a painting of Marilyn Monroe in the dress. People who donated $100 or more received a free aerial photo of town.
Retired Sergeant Barry Schindel, from Saskatoon, appeared in photos with the dress and members of the public.
“[The Town] got a hold of the vet’s association to add a little Canadiana to the display and asked some of us retired members to participate,” Schindel said.
Schindel said that standing under the light was “a little warm.”
“But it’s fun. I enjoy the interaction with people.”
Jones thanked Ripley’s, saying they were “fantastic to loan us the dress for the tour.”
“When you think about it, the last time this dress was in the public was at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1962. The second time it’s seen by the public is in Luseland, Saskatchewan. Go figure.”
