Two hundred years ago, fur trader and explorer David Stuart arrived at the meeting of the North and South Thompson Rivers and built a trading post.

Two hundred years later, the City of Kamloops and the Tk’emlups Indian Band are marking the anniversary.

On Aug. 25, Riverside Park will become the focal point for the 2012 bicentennial event that includes the City, Kamloops Museum and Archives and Tk’emlups Indian Band.

The day-long celebration starts at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast served up by the Paddlewheelers Lions Club. That’s followed at 10 a.m. with festivities, activities and displays, including booths offering food, art and face painting.

At 1 p.m., Mayor Peter Milobar will paddle into shore via canoe on the band land for a ceremonial meeting with Chief Shane Gottfriedson. The two community leaders will then get into a voyageur canoe with members of their councils and head downstream to Riverside Park.

They’re expected to land on the beach at 2 p.m., where there will be another ceremony with drummers, dancers and unveiling of a 2012 commemorative plaque.

The event wraps up at 4 p.m.