A crew of enthusiastic volunteer event leaders are now in place to spearhead the second annual Williams Lake Winter Carnival coming up in January.
“It’s better than I could have ever imagined as we set out to create an event that will pull the entire community together,” says Winter Carnival president Darrick Boyes.
He says the event leaders lined up to co-ordinate the carnival activities are passionate about their particular winter activity and now need volunteers to help them with the events.
The second annual 2016 Winter Carnival is scheduled to take place in Boitanio Park on the January 30/31, 2016 weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
From horse drawn sleigh rides, to snowshoeing, cross country runs, snow art and chili contests, sledding hill, to First Nations cultural events taking place in a tee pee, and an igloo to crawl through, the carnival promises to blow away the mid-winter blues.
And except for the food court with daily breakfasts provided by the Lions Club and all sorts of international dishes on offer for lunch, all of the Winter Carnival events are provided free of charge.
There will also be free equipment rentals provided for the cross country ski, snowshoe, and ice skating activities. Free ice skating will be provided both days at the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
There will be karaoke on the heated stage in Boitanio Park along with performances both days by magician Jesaja Class.
Instead of being outside, face painting this year will take place in a warm RV loaned for the event by Chemo RV, Boyes says.
There will be chili cooking contests for both the home cook and the professional cook. Instead of three or four judges as they had last year, Boyes says they are looking for 20 to 50 people to act as judges for the chili contests. Last year Boyes says there were long lineups both days for the horse drawn sleigh rides so instead of two teams pulling sleighs there will be three sleighs running both days.
Added to the carnival this year will be a Kiddie Corral Playpen for the smallest children and a mini animal exhibit featuring miniature horses, bunnies, ferrets, ducks and mini-goats and other animals, says Raman Dhillon the Winter Carnival events manager.
She says the snow art contest will be run this year by an enthusiastic group of local snow artists who also compete in there Winter Carnivals.
There will also be a large bonfire to warm cold bodies, and the Lion’s Club will be providing free hot chocolate and coffee both days.
Boyes reminds people to dress well for winter weather.
People who would like to help out with the Winter Carnival can contact Darrick Boyes 250-305-8119.
“Remember this event is for the community by the community so we are looking for support and volunteers for all events,” Boyes says.