Canada Day celebrates our Canadian spirit and in the spirit of Canada Day, two women who have organized the Williams Lake Canada Day event in Boitanio Park for the past four years are ready to pass the reins.
“Four Canada Days ago Karen (Roberts) and I decided to take on the task of organizing Canada Day Celebrations, with 10 days before the big event,” says Nancy Giesbrecht. “We did it, and have been going ever since. It has been a lot of fun and not too time consuming. We plan activities such as musical entertainment, games for whole family to enjoy.”
Due to changes in their personal lives, Roberts and Giesbrecht are stepping down as the co-ordinators but are willing to assist the new organizers or community group that replaces them.
“If no one steps up to the plate there won’t be an event next year and that would be a shame,” Giesbrecht says.
Roberts is also concerned about finding new organizers quickly, because there are funding application deadlines coming up soon that need to be met.
Roberts says they usually have about five or six volunteers in addition to themselves who help with organizing Canada Day activities.
Canada Day activities in Boitanio Park over the years have included participation exercises and demonstrations by the gymnastics club, wrestling club, fencing club, Shogun Martial Arts, Williams Lake fire truck, hoop dancing, yo-yos and unicycles, bouncing castle, spinning and weaving demonstrations, children’s authors, food vendors, games for the kids, local singers, dancers and musicians.
Past sponsors have been the Rotary Club, Barton Insurance Hub International,
Johnston Meier Insurance, City of Williams Lake (pay for the cake). Community Futures, Dick Harris MP, Save-On-Foods (makes the cake and sends people to cut up and hand out pieces) Dollar Dollar Store (balloons and prizes), Kinsmen, and Pioneer Log Homes.
Supporters have also included PMT chartered accountants, Town Taxi, Williams Lake & District Credit Union, Government of Canada (Heritage Grant) The Rush, Williams Lake Tribune, welcometowilliamslake.com, Wise Owl Toys, Cariboo Regional District.
If you are interested in organizing next year’s Canada Day celebrations give Roberts a call at 250-392-5148 or Giesbrecht a call at 250-392-5571 to arrange a discussion meeting.