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Heat wave doesn’t melt carnival spirits

The second annual 2016 Williams Lake Winter Carnival was a huge hit.
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Horse and wagon rides were a popular attraction during the weekend at the second annual Wiliams Lake Winter Carnival. Here

Despite a lack of snow, which cancelled the cross country ski events and changed the horse drawn sleigh rides into horse-drawn wagon rides, the second annual 2016 Williams Lake Winter Carnival was a huge hit.

“We were super happy with how things went,” says event president Darrick Boyes.

“Every event except cross country skiing went ahead and we had a phenomenal turn out from the community.

“We had lots of mascots and a lot of people dressed up in goofy costumes of fictional characters just for the fun of it.”

While the cross country skiing had to be cancelled he thanks the city for bringing in extra snow so that the sledding hill and snowshoeing could still take place.

Between trying out all the children’s games, building snowmen, snowshoeing, sledding, visiting the mini-petting zoo, listening to people sing karaoke, face painting, magic shows with Jesaja Class there were lots of things to keep families and children busy.

He says the First Nations events in the tee pee, and Jesaja Class magic shows were very popular and there was a steady stream of people coming up to sing karaoke.

Starting out with the Lions Club breakfasts each day, there were lots of food vendors on site providing lunch and snacks including butter chicken, wraps, chili, bannock, hot dogs, and the popular poutine and maple syrup candy.

Pioneer Log Homes’ Spirit Carver Dean Ross-Gilpin made and auctioned four sculptures on site that raised $1,435 which is being donated to the Cariboo Friendship Society’s Elder Circle of Care program, Boyes says.

There were eight judges this year for the chili cooking contest each one carrying 25 votes. In amateur category there were nine entries with Ron Malmas winning the contest.

There were eight entries in the restaurant category which turned out to be a tie finish between Brice O’Neill of New World Coffee and Tea House, and Teresa Sure of 4Sure Bistro each garnering 149 out of a possible 200 points.

All activities, except food purchases were provided free for participants at the Winter Carnival that took place Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31 in Boitanio Park, plus free skating Saturday in the Cariboo Memorial Complex next door.