Canada Day celebrations in Boitanio Park this Friday will be packed with fun for the whole family and, of course, especially children.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the day. And as the organizers’ motto goes — “wear your red and white and leave your blues at home.”
The Williams Lake Community Band starts the festivities with a band concert from noon to 1 p.m. which will be followed by the formal opening ceremonies starting at 1 p.m.
Once again there will be a children’s writing and poster contest to answer the question: Why are you proud to be Canadian?
Bring your composition to the event. After judging is done winners will be announced at about 3 p.m., says Nancy Giesbrecht, one of the event organizers.
There will also be prizes for the quiz on knowledge about Canada which takes place at the grandstand at about 1:30 p.m., Giesbrecht says.
Since Canada is a bilingual country she says they hope to have someone there to ask the question in French this year as well as in English.
There will also be lots of prizes for games, races, and for those most patriotically dressed.
She says the Stampede Queen royals are organizing games and races for children that will include traditional sack races and hula hoops.
Kids can also try some moves with the Cariboo Chilcotin Gymnastics Club and Shogun Martial Arts Academy demonstration stations.
Some 200 yo-yos will also be given away by the Williams Lake and District Credit Union, and people can learn to play with them guided by two young experts, Giesbrecht says.
Mike Royal will also have his big, air-filled, jumping toys set up for kids to play in.
The Cariboo Cowgirls horse drill team will be in the park for a while starting at about 1:15 p.m. to ride around the park and talk with kids.
“Chris the Clown was so popular last year that they are bringing him back again this year,” Giesbrecht says. The clown show is scheduled to be on stage at 3 p.m.
City interpreter Mary Forbes will be there visiting and telling stories. Three lakecity authors Ann Walsh, Jeannie Vant and Sage Birchwater will give readings.
The Stampede Whirl-a-ways will also have square dancing demonstrations that people can join and try, as well as musical entertainment by Quintet Plus choir and the duo A Perfect Match.
And, of course, there will be super large Canada Day cake for everyone to enjoy.
Giesbrecht says organizers are also asking the farmers market vendors to stay on for the afternoon. Friday morning is normally farmer’s market day in the park.