“I want to see horses on Birch Avenue – lots and lots of horses!”
That’s the key for South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) director Allan Roberts, as he talks about the return of Western Week and Little Britches Parade in downtown 100 Mile House in 2014.
Shortly after becoming a director, Roberts says he told the SCCC meeting he wanted to bring back Western Week and the Little Britches Rodeo, and the other members told him they would support the project 100 per cent.
“So, the chamber was fully committed to restoring Western Week and the parade.”
The parade was cancelled in 2011 due to the Neurotropic Equine Herpes Virus scare, and was cancelled the following year due to lack of volunteer support and didn’t go last year either.
Roberts and the SCCC are keen to see their return next year.
Noting he started going to the longtime (four-plus decades) parade when he was a child, Roberts says the allure for him was the western theme, cowboys, horses and the history.
“There were real cowboys and cows were open-ranged everywhere. It was like something out of a John Wayne western.
“When they had the parade back in the day, there was 4-H, ranchers and outfitters were involved. There was this tremendous flavour and it really was the brand of our community, and we still have it.
“Our brand has changed a bit, and while we still have horses, rodeos and we can ride the trails, we can also ride ATVs and snowmobiles…. So we’ve changed in that regard, but we still feel that western theme is still a very important part of our heritage.”
Roberts says the SCCC believes it’s important to have Western Week, the Little Britches Parade and the Little Britches Rodeo.
“So, the chamber sees the benefits of bringing people to town and businesses.”
However, they are not interested in resurrecting the downtown Street Fest, which was a lot of work to organize and run, and at the same time, in conflict with some of the downtown businesses.
The chamber’s emphasis will be on Western Week with people dressing up in the western theme and businesses decorating accordingly.
“We’ll be offering prizes for best decorated businesses and we want everyone in western attire for the entire week to bring out the western flavour.”
Roberts notes the week will be highlighted by the parade.
He adds the Chamber would like to see businesses offering sales that day and have vendors selling food, which would invigorate the financial support the businesses need because there’s going to be a lot of people downtown.
There will be petting zoo, Roberts says, adding it’s likely the Farmers’ Market will be going in front of the 100 Mile Community Hall that Saturday, too.
“That will liven up the downtown core.
Roberts notes they also want to steer people to the Little Britches Rodeo at the Outriders Arena behind the South Cariboo Rec. Centre.
“That’s very important to us. It isn’t just about the parade; it isn’t just about the downtown core; it’s also about getting people steered to that rodeo.
“It’s just wonderful to have the Little Britches Rodeo, so we want it to be a success.”
Anyone wanting more information on the parade and Western Week can call Roberts at 250-395-4421, or the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce at 250-395-6124.
