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PHOTOS: Lakecity braves the weather to support community events

Come rain, wind, sun and even snow, Williams Lake came out in force Saturday
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Kim Code photo Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association players were greeted with fresh snow blanketing the fields at the Esler Sports Complex for the first weekend games of the season Saturday morning. The WLYSA is now in full swing as all its leagues began play last week.

Despite a day of unpredictable weather, lakecity residents turned out in droves to a wide range of events happening across the city.

Early Saturday morning Williams Lake awoke to snow and overcast skies, leading many to fear the prospects of outdoor activities that day. These adverse unseasonable conditions didn’t faze the players of the Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association, however, who kicked off their season, despite the snow covering Esler Fields up by the airport.

Within the lakecity itself, the snow proved to be temporary and melted away under sporadic rainfall and high winds throughout the day. For those who found the weather still too chilly, there were also plenty of indoor events to tend.

At the Elks Hall, the third annual Handmade in the Cariboo artisans market was being held with over 30 unique vendors selling everything from jewellery to live plants. Dozens of lakecity residents crowded the building buying, selling and discussing some wonderful handmade products.

Over at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, the Indoor Rodeo held their second day of competitions, featuring riders and performers from across the rodeo world. For those who missed it on Saturday, Sunday will see another round of the competition and the induction of the newest members of the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Doors open at 12 p.m. for a 1 p.m. start, with beer gardens adjacent in the second arena.

Read More: PHOTOS: Indoor Rodeo kicks off the rodeo season in style

Down at the Stampede grounds themselves, West Coast Amusements was holding a carnival with rides and carnival games of all kinds that people of all ages enjoyed. Despite the bursts of wind, rain and even hail, hundreds still turned out for thrills and challenges. The carnival runs Sunday as well from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., weather and attendance depending.

Vaisakhi was officially celebrated at Williams Lake’s other Sikh temple on Mackenzie Avenue, the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple. Dozens of Sikh and lakecity community members turned out to raise the temple’s flag and officially celebrate the Punjabi New Year.

Read More: VIDEO: Flag raised for Vaisakhi in Williams Lake

To close off the night, the Cariboo Festival held its honours concert at the Cariboo Bethel Church, while Thompson Rivers University held its annual TRU Williams Lake Gala.



patrick.davies@wltribune.com

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Lacey Tomlinson and Leslie Mahar jointly organize and founded Handmade in the Cariboo three years ago and continue to do so today. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Five-year-old Jade Colebank proudly rides atop a motorcycle merry go round in Williams Lake’s Stampede grounds Saturday. Greg Sabatino Photo.
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Mackenzie Sabatino and Charlie McCarthy enjoy a spin on a Flinstone’s inspired roller coaster. Greg Sabatino Photo.
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Young Gilliam Winkelman attempts to spread sprinkles on his cupcake at Handmade in the Cariboo in the Elks Hall. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Nixie Donaldson closes her eyes patiently as her face is painted at Handmade in the Cariboo. Patrick Davies Photo. Nixie Donaldson closes her eyes patiently as her face is painted at Handmade in the Cariboo. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Attendees of the Third Annual Handmade in the Cariboo artisans market browse the wares of some 30 vendors. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Dynamite Kids bucks so hard he sends the hat of Linden Hora flying at the Indoor Rodeo this Saturday. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Pacen Setah of Nemiah Valley tries to scramble to his feet as Minion bares down on him during the Indoor Rodeo Saturday. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Langley’s Darryl Brown rides atop Road Hammer with flair at the Indoor Rodeo held at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Patrick Davies photo Lakecity residents enjoy the Ferris wheel at the Stampede Grounds Saturday during West Coast Amusement’s stop in the city. The fair was a popular attraction throughout the weekend as large crowds gathered to take in the midway.
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Anna-Sofia Gebert and Emily Hutchinson laugh as they swing through the air above the Stampede Grounds. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Members of the Panj Pyare, the Five Beloved Ones, lead a procession to the flag raising ceremony with their ceremonial swords drawn. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Members of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple temple process towards the flag raising ceremony. Patrick Davies Photo.
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The Panj Pyare, the Five Beloved Ones, stand vigil and chant during the wrapping of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple’s flagpole. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Members of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple sing at Vaisakhi celebrations at their temple in Williams Lake. Patrick Davies Photo.
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Community members of all ages turned out for the Vaisakhi celebrations at Guru Nanak Sikh Temple off Mackenzie Avenue. Patrick Davies Photo.
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B.V. Narayana is a world traveller from India spreading his message about the importance of road safety to avoid becoming disabled. Here he poses in the bike he has ridden across the world and is currently riding all the way up to Alaska. Patrick Davies Photo.


Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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