The 11th annual Cowboy Christmas offers a taste of the Cariboo Chilcotin's quintessential western music, arts, crafts, entertainment and hospitality while supporting the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, home to the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame.
"The open mic hosted by Rosetta Paxton starts at 10 a.m. with many local artists stopping by to entertain," says museum board member Sharon MacDonald.
"This is always a great opportunity for locals to come, shop, visit with neighbours and friends, and grab a bite to eat from our Chuck Wagon Concession."
Cowboy Christmas takes place at the Gibraltar Room, Saturday, Nov. 21 with the craft fair, open mic, silent auction and concession running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the Cowboy Christmas Concert starting at 7 p.m.
"This year we will be showcasing our local talents for our evening concert," MacDonald says. Featured entertainers are musicians Bernadette Ducharme, Iris Witte, The Perfect Match, and cowboy poet Frank Gleeson.
Participating artists and artisans this year include Shelley Colton with her cowboy neck rags, cowboy Christmas ornaments, and a variety of barn board items; sewing by Carol Vanderwolfe; jewellery by Judy Garlinge; wool crafts such as seat cushions by Bobby Lloyd; greeting cards and framed photographs by Pat Suter; crafts and canning by Mary Telfer; and crochet by Courtney Boston.
Pat MacKay will be there with copies of her book Drugstore Cowgirl.
Carol Taylor and Wilfred Wright will be there with their western theme art and ornaments; Pat Taylor with western theme paintings; Jill Perry with stained glass work and knitting; Roberta Davis with mugs, and knitted purses and bags; Raylene Poffenroth with a variety of arts and crafts.
Mike McGuiness will be there with his ironworks art pieces and accessories.
There will be Christmas wreaths, western shelving, table centres and more by Lynn Dent Wilson.
South Hill Designs will be there with items to build your own jewellery.
Rockin P Western Apparel will have a variety of western memorabilia, scarves, vests, baby items and more.
The B.C. Cattlemen will also have a display set up all about ranch life in the province.
The craft fair and evening concert are fundraisers for the museum. Tickets to the evening concert are $15 but there is no entry fee to visit the craft fair during the day.
Concert tickets will be available in advance at the museum, during the craft fair and at the door.
Anyone who purchases museum books or tickets for the evening’s Cowboy Christmas Concert will be entered in a door prize draw.
Museum memberships are $10 and will also be available during the craft fair and at the concert.
The museum is also selling raffle tickets for a two night stay, with meal vouchers, for two people at the Hills Resort at 108 Mile. Tickets are $5. and will be available at the craft fair, concert, and at the museum's Christmas tea and bake sale on Dec. 5, as well as at the museum.
"This would be a great surprise for someone under the tree this Christmas," MacDonald says.
For more information she invites the public to visit the museum's website and Facebook page, or come into the museum and spend some time browsing the many wonderful displays and history of the Cariboo Chilcotin.