Getting into the heritage spirit for the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin’s 25th Anniversary and Heritage Festival Sunday, Aug. 7 doesn’t have to be a big chore.
It can be as simple as wearing a headscarf for women and braces holding up work pants for men, as well as other heritage-appropriate clothing that one already has in the closet, such as a straw hat.
Or it could be wearing a special tartan, regalia or formal dress passed down the generations.
The museum poster at right offers a few suggestions on some of the clothes worn by settlers and Aboriginal first peoples in the early days of Canada’s formation.
There will be entertainment in Boitanio Park from noon until 5:30 p.m.
The celebrations open at the museum located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Borland Street between 11 a.m. and noon which will include a Secwepemc welcome to the Williams Lake Band First Nations territory and the unveiling of the 25th anniversary plaque.
Williams Lake Indian Band Coun. Rick Gilbert will be the master of ceremonies.
Presentations will also be made by other community leaders including Todd Doherty, MP, Donna Barnett, MLA, Joan Sorley, CRD Director for Area F (Horsefly, Likely and 150 Mile House) and Mayor Walt Cobb.
Mayor Cobb was also mayor when the ribbon was cut to open the museum on its present site 25 years ago to the day on August 7, 1991.
There will be an open house at the museum until 4 p.m., with admission by donation.
The Heritage Festival starts at noon in Boitanio Park where people are invited to bring a picnic lunch or enjoy offerings by vendors on site while the music plays and artisans demonstrate their crafts.
The music schedule includes a mix of local and visiting artists including the Canadian folk icons Tiller’s Folly who write and sing stories about historical figures and events and Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat who collect and record traditional British Columbia work songs.
The musical entertainment schedule is as follows:
12 to 12:30 p.m.: Leslie Ross
12:30.: birthday cake.
12:40 to 1:25 p.m.: Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat.
1:35 to 2:35 p.m.: Tiller’s Folly.
2:45 to 3:30 p.m.: Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat.
3:40 to 4:10 p.m.: Flannel Roots.
4:20 to 5:20 p.m.: Tiller’s Folly.