Organizers of this weekend’s Winter Carnival were setting the stage at Boitanio Park Tuesday morning with help from city crews and a local contractor.
“We are pretty excited as we are bringing a lot of snow into the park today to try and make our sledding hill,” said Darrick Boyes as a truck dumped another load of snow in the grass behind him. “We’ve got Fred Ball from Blocks R Us bringing in the snow on his own time and his own dime. We weren’t sure what we were going to do for snow, but we know now.”
Blocks R US owner Fred Ball
A city worker was in the Cariboo Memorial Complex parking lot with heavy equipment helping load Ball’s two dump trucks with snow as well.
“We are hopeful that everyone will come out and try the sled hill,” Boyes said.
He pointed to a flat icy patch on the grass below and said it might make for a good skating rink if the weather co-operates.
This will be the third annual Winter Carnival and as usual it will go no matter what type of weather Mother Nature provides, Boyes said.
Running from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, the event is free of charge.
Activities run the gamut, ranging from horse and sleigh or wagon rides to tug-o-wars and a hay bale maze.
The Kiddie Corral Playpen, face painting, karaoke, chain saw carving demonstrations with Spirit Carver Dean Ross, First Nations activities, the free maple syrup candy booth, and the chilli cook-off —home cooks and chefs —are all returning.
“We could use a few more entries for both chilli contests,” Boyes said.
There will also be public skating with free rentals both days from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the arena.
A formal ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Walt Cobb and Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett will take place at 10:15 a.m. Saturday.
Boyes said the carnival is made possible because of volunteers from the community. Anyone interested in helping out can contact him at 250-305-8119.