Celebrate Canada’s 144 birthday at the Watson Barn area in the 108 Mile Heritage Site, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is no admission fee to enjoy a great family day with a lot of activities, entertainment, crafters and food.
Organized by the 100 Mile & District Historical Society, master of ceremonies Mark McMillan will open the ceremonies.
Longtime MC and cowboy poet Mike Puhallo is suffering from brain cancer and he will be sorely missed, says organizer Mary Anne Rutledge.
“If there was a lag in the entertainment, Mike always stepped in. He is a wonderful man and we miss his presence here.
“Mark [McMillan] offered to step in and I am so grateful for all he has done.”
The Can-Can dancers of Les Folles Jambettes will accompany the RCMP Colour Guard, as they bring in the Canadian Flag. The audience is invited to sing O Canada, which will be led by Ingrid Mapson.
Opening remarks will be given by Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond; District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall, as well as Historical Society president Tom Rutledge and secretary Garry Babcock.
Entertainment starts at 11:15 with songs by Mapson, the Baladi Babes Belly Dancing troupe, and BC Country Music of Hall of Famer Bud Webb.
The cake-cutting starts at 12:50 p.m., says Rutledge.
“It’s actually three slab cakes put together, so there will plenty for everyone to enjoy a piece.”
More entertainment begins at 1:05 p.m. with performances by the Cheeky Lil’ Monkeys, a Can-Can presentation by Les Folles Jambettes, and the South Cariboo Square Dance Association will twirl around for the audience’s entertainment.
Additional singing will take place, with performances by Webb, Ernie Doyle, Ed Wahl and Doug Steven & the Old School Band, starting at 2:20 p.m.
Besides all of the entertainment, people will be able to just walk around the site, enjoying the various vendors from the famous 108 Lions food concession and the pop shack to all the tables of arts and crafts for sale.
108 Mile Ranch Volunteer Fire Department will display its fire trucks and so will the local RCMP with their police cars. Children always happily gravitate to these displays.
We also have a lot of children’s activities planned, says Rutledge.
“There is the “Air Ride” (a 30-foot slide and bounce); the Lone Butte 4-H Club will be hosting petting zoo; Pastor John and his group of young people will have children’s games and races; and Roxy Barnes of the CRD Library-100 Mile House Branch will have story time.”
Rutledge, one of the eight directors who have worked hard since last January to make this day happen, says it’s all about the children.
“We wanted to have a variety of things to keep them busy and have fun, as well as places for the adults to enjoy themselves.”
The 108 Heritage Site is 13 kilometres north of 100 Mile House on Highway 97.
