The Canada Day celebration at the 108 Heritage Site this year is going to be bigger and better than ever.
Mary Ann Rutledge, secretary-treasurer of the 100 Mile & District Historical Society, has been working very hard to line up a huge number of activities and entertainment that will ensure a fantastic day for all ages.
Action will be non-stop from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning with the singing of the national anthem by South Cariboo Idol finalist Josslyn Ryan.
The opening ceremony will be highlighted by the presence RCMP members in red serge uniforms and there will be speeches and words of welcome by Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond, District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall, Historical Society president Tom Rutledge and society vice-president Garry Babcock.
With formalities taken care of, the entertainment begins, and the lineup is outstanding.
Emcee Doug Steven will keep the program rolling and even take time to perform a few musical numbers with Ryan.
Not one, but two different cancan dance troupes will be kicking up their heels on stage. Les Folles Jambettes from Christina Lake will be there in the morning, before moving on to dance at the Williams Lake Stampede, and the Mill Girl Follies from Clinton will perform later in the day.
Expect to see grass skirts and hip-shaking when Cheralyn’s Polynesian Dance Studio takes the spotlight.
Musician Cal Wilson of Lac la Hache will add a touch of bluegrass to the eclectic show, and cowboy singer Ed Wall from Vancouver brings his own style of music. The Bob Westfall Band from Vancouver, with folk and country songs adds to the mix, as will country singer/guitarist Leslie Ross of 108 Ranch.
While Rutledge drums up much of the entertainment herself, she says entertainers are starting to contact her.
“We’re getting so well-known they’re calling us from Vancouver to be in the show.”
There will be covered seating in front of the stage, but Rutledge says people might want to bring their own lawn chairs because the benches fill up.
There will be plenty to keep children entertained with a huge inflated bounce house to jump in, face painting and stories read by librarian Roxy Barnes.
Make sure to bring a shopping bag because a full compliment of vendors selling a variety of goods is expected.
“There’s huge amount of craft sellers. It will be a full house.”
A cook shack will be on site where people can purchase a burger or hotdog and Tim Hortons has donated coffee, which will see proceeds from sales kept by the society.
There’s something for everybody, Rutledge says, adding there’s no admission charge.
The event organizers could use some help in setting up and volunteers can show up at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening to assist in raising tents, or 10 a.m. Monday for a variety of tasks.
To learn more, contact Rutledge at 250-791-1971.
