Before the dogs pound the snow for the big pull around the 108 Heritage Site, community members are invited to a street festival on Birch Avenue in 100 Mile House to celebrate the start of a this region’s premier annual sled dog racing event.
Organizers of the 2015 Cariboo Challenge Jack Gawthorn Memorial Sled Dog Race, which goes Jan. 10-11, recently had a downtown road closure request approved by the District of 100 Mile House for the fun-filled family event on Jan. 9.
While organizing is ongoing for the Cariboo Challenge Family Fun Night event, a number of activities and attractions are currently planned, including a broom ball tournament, shopping, a pitch-and-putt contest, music, face-painting, great food, and meeting the mushers.
The 100 Mile Community Hall will be open to non-profit vendors and organizations, and organizers still need volunteers and help with sponsors, donations for prizes, and even ideas for more street party attractions.
Cariboo Challenge Family Fun Night is all about beating the winter blues, promoting the 2015 Cariboo Challenge, and bringing the community together, explain organizers Lucille Armstrong and Pam Dafoe.
A portion of Birch Avenue, between First and Fifth streets, will be closed from 4 to 9 p.m. for Cariboo Challenge Family Fun Night.
Cariboo Radio will be on site providing music entertainment.
Two rinks will be set up on Birch Avenue for the broom ball tournament. Teams from South Cariboo Search and Rescue and Centennial Law have already entered. Organizers are looking for six more teams of six players. Teams will receive a tax receipt for the $250 entry.
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School 2015 grads are offering face-painting, cotton candy and popcorn by donation.
A variety of children’s activities will also be taking place.
For more information, or to share ideas and join the fun, contact Armstrong at 250-395-7743 (or armstronglucille@gmail.com) or Dafoe at 250-397-0018 (or pamdafoe@hotmail.com).
Last year, the 2014 Cariboo Challenge saw a great turnout of local spectators and a total of 44 mushers and their dog teams running the course at the 108 Heritage Site.
The event saw skijoring, four-, six- and 10-dog races, as well as a variety of fun, related activities throughout the weekend.
