The rain stayed away and the sun shone on the inaugural Community in Blooms (CiB) barbecue at Centennial Park on July 19.
The community was invited to attend the CiB “Best Of” awards that evening and enjoy some hamburgers and hotdogs, too.
“It was very well attended,” says Tom Bachynski, one of the CiB organizers.
The judges were particularly impressed with the crowd, as well as the whole town’s involvement with the program, he adds.
“We went through 325 hamburgers and hotdogs that night.”
He notes donations for the barbecue totalled $465.
This is the first time 100 Mile House has participated in the CiB program. It was a partnership between the District of 100 Mile House and the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce.
The kickoff to CiB was the Pitch-In to clean up trash around the community in late April.
The local Communities in Bloom program was a true community event, Bachynski says, adding he thanks everyone who helped, especially Kevin Dicken, Angela Cole and Shari Bachynski for all they did.
He estimates at least 85 per cent of the 100 Mile’s residents and businesses got involved with the program one way or another.
“Earlier I was a little worried about pulling [the community barbecue] off, but some local businesses donated some money, then it just grew legs.
“Angela [Cole] contacted Trish Chung who volunteered to cook the hamburgers and donate lettuce from the community garden.”
From there, things took off, says Bachynski, who contacted the South Cariboo Meat Co-op and three local ranchers donated 60 pounds of beef and 100 hotdogs. Findlay Meats donated the time to make the patties, Donex Pharmacy & Department Store donated pop and water, and Keith Jackson donated his hotdog stand and all the condiments.
The Canim Lake Elders brought some youngsters down to entertain us with dancing, Bachynski says.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and I’m looking forward to CiB next year.”
After taking a few days off, he notes the committee members will probably set up meetings in September, and start preparing the profile binder for 2012. We could use two more people to help us out, Bachynski adds.
“The booklet takes a lot of research, showcasing what we have to offer. The one we completed for this year’s event should be up on the website by the end of July.”
100 Mile House is in competition with Kaslo and Fruitvale, and the judges’ decision should be known by late September.
For more information or if folks want to joint the organizing committee, call Cole at 250-706-2044.
