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Education, learning the theme at Family Fest

Education and fun-filled learning was the theme Sunday during the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy’s Family Fest.
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Twins Clark and Makenna Manarin work on some artwork while their dad, Rob, helps out. The art station was one of several educational booths setup for children who attended the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy’s annual Family Fest during the weekend at the Gibraltar Room in Williams Lake.

Education and fun-filled learning was the theme Sunday during the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy’s Family Fest.

Held in the Gibraltar Room, event co-ordinator Kirsten Stark said 319 visitors walked through doors, 201 new books were given away for free to children, and 585 homemade cookies were donated.

Family Fest featured activities hosted by numerous organizations including CCPL, Cariboo Regional District Library Williams Lake Branch, School District 27 Strong Start, Williams Lake Recreation Services, Women’s Contact Society, Scout Island, The Realm of Toys, Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre Association, Williams Lake Optometry, Denisiqi Services Society and Interior Health.

“A huge thank you to the Lionesses, who so graciously volunteered their time and worked so hard serving the subs and refreshments,” Stark said.

“The amazing event day team was made up of over 30 professionals and volunteers, all passionate about early childhood education, literacy and learning.”

In addition, more than 100 children took part in the RC Days for Kids activity, while 50 door prizes were presented.

Two grand prizes were also given away, both valued at over $100.

“Thanks to The Realm of Toys for the wonderful donation of the second prize,” Stark said. “Every family took home a Family Fest bag, a Melissa and Doug activity pad and a craft or information from the wide variety of activities on offer.”

Event sponsors for Family Fest were: Success by Six, CCPL, Cariboo Friendship Society, Children First and Williams Lake Optometry, while the event was supported by Subway, Cool Clear Water, The Hearth Restaurant and The Realm of Toys.

“This event is made possible by the hard-working members of the Early Childhood Development Network of Williams Lake and, this year, guests were welcome by the staff of the Pregnancy Outreach Program.”

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Liam Hill, 4, and his dad, Nolan Hill, have some fun racing RC cars around the track provided by the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre during the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy’s annual Family Fest in the Gibraltar Room.
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Greg Sabatino photos James Hadden, 4, proudly shows off a free book he chose to his grandma, Nancy Hadden, while Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy volunteer tutors Dale Chorney and Sarah Balitsky look on.
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Silas Graham (left), 2, and Hannah Duff, 2, play with some building blocks Sunday during the CCPL’s Family Fest in the Gibraltar Room.
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Greg Sabatino

About the Author: Greg Sabatino

Greg Sabatino graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 2008.
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