Snow or no snow the 2017 Winter Carnival is a go.
“There is nothing that will stop the carnival from moving forward,” says chair Darrick Boyes. “It’s going to be a great event for everyone of all ages.”
The city’s third annual Winter Carnival takes place in Boitanio Park and Cariboo Memorial Complex Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
All activities are provided free of charge including equipment rentals such as skates, snowshoes and cross country ski equipment.
Cross country skiing is the only event in danger of being cancelled if there isn’t more snow falling on the lakecity in the next week or so, Boyes says.
Snow trails will be built for snowshoeing and enough snow will be saved for other activities such as the Kiddy Corral Playpen and sledding run.
Horse drawn sleigh rides will become horse drawn wagon rides with wheels.
“We had our planning meeting Wednesday night and we actually have more events than we planned in the works,” Boyes says.
New events include tug-o-war, horseshoes, hockey net shootout, snowball throwing, and a hay bale maze.
“There will be lots of prizes,” Boyes says.
Public skating, with free skate rental takes place both days from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
Given the warmer temperatures he says the committee is working on expanding the petting zoo to include more animals.
Tents will be set up for activities such as the magic shows with Jesaja Class set for 1:30 p.m. each day.
The Kiddie Corral Playpen, face painting, karaoke, chainsaw carving demonstrations with Spirit Carver Dean Ross, First Nations activities, the free maple syrup candy booth, and the chilli cookoff are all returning.
The chilli cook-off for home cooks takes place on Saturday and the contest for professional cooks runs on Sunday. “We could use a few more entries for both chilli contests,” Boyes says.
He says Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett and Mayor Walt Cobb will be among the chilli contest judges and will also be cutting the ribbon to open the carnival at 10:15 a.m. on the Saturday.
There will be bonfires to warm up beside and several food vendors on site.
Food is the only thing participants will need to purchase.
The Lions Club breakfast runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. both days. Crepes, chilli, hot dogs and hamburgers, and pulled pork are among the other offerings, Boyes says.
He notes the Winter Carnival is completely run by volunteers with the support of local businesses.
“The best way to reward the volunteers and businesses for their time and resources is to come out and enjoy the carnival,” Boyes says.
People who would like to volunteer with the carnival can contact him at 250-305-8119.