Get out and enjoy the summer

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett encourages people to take advantage of all of the fun, summer activities taking place in the region.

We’re lucky to be living in one of B.C.’s most beautiful regions, and we’re lucky that there’s so much going on in the Cariboo-Chilcotin all summer long. The month of August is especially packed with lots of fun happenings and I’d like to tell you about some of my favourite local events.

On Aug. 18 and 19 is the Redstone Rodeo in Alexis Creek, running strong ever since 1998. You can expect all your favourite rodeo events including the Redstone Rodeo Dance on Saturday evening. Advance tickets are only $10 and are $15 at the door. Only 300 tickets will be printed so be sure to get yours fast. And don’t forget to pick up your raffle tickets too. At only $5 a pop, how could you miss out on the chance to win a Polaris Sportsman 500 Quad, an Apple iPad 2, or a Sirius Radio complete with a Boom Box? Tickets are available from Redstone Gas Bar, Spectra Power Sports, Gerald William, and various Tsi Deldel First Nation band members.

Also coming up is the Lac La Hache South Cariboo Garlic Festival. In its 13th year, this festival is going to kick things up a notch with a wider variety of great foods, raffles, a dunk tank, and entertainment of all sorts. There’s so much to check out and try: tonnes of goodies and treats, crafters and merchants and, of course, the garlic cook-off with a $1,000 grand prize. It’s a really fun way to bring the whole community and your whole family together for some good, old-fashioned garlic-y fun.

And don’t forget about Performances in the Park every Thursday evening, or the farmer’s market every Friday morning in Boitanio Park in Williams Lake.

Can’t handle the heat? Go for a dip in the Sam Ketcham pool. There really is so much to do.

Like most of you, summer is my favourite time of year. With so many opportunities to mingle with neighbours, enjoy some sun and attend wonderful community events. I hope you’ll get out to enjoy as much of summer as you can before it’s gone.

Donna Barnett is the Liberal MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin.

Williams Lake Tribune