The 108 Mile Ranch Community Association (RCA) is kicking off the weekend with a three-day Christmas village at the 108 Community Centre starting Friday night.
The festivities are the first step in a fundraising project called Restoring the Heart Centre of Our Community. The purpose behind the project is to raise funds to renovate the aging community hall, said Association president Michele Spence.
The weekend is chock full of events starting with the Christmas tree lighting on Friday night. The evening runs from 6-8 p.m. with the tree lighting taking place at 7 p.m.
Jordan Pawloski, owner of Northwind Electric, sponsored the installation of all the exterior lights and the tree outside. Spence said they have had an amazing amount of donations of decorations for the hall. One person even filled her entire jeep with items.
“After the tree is lit people will be let into the hall. We’re going to have a bonfire going so people can stay warm that way,” she said. “And we’re not setting the hall up like a typical Christmas market. It’s going to be like a Christmas forest with very limited vendors and they will be scattered between the main hall.”
In addition to the vendors market there will be children’s activities, food vendors and the concession, plus local musicians, Christmas music and everyone’s favourite songs.
Inside the hall will be 12 trees sponsored and decorated by local businesses and families. “We supply the tree, and they supply the decorating,” said Spence.
Two special contests are being sponsored over the weekend. The first is a gingerbread house contest, open to any resident in the South Cariboo. Finished houses will be loaded into the hall on Friday for public viewing.
Spence is extremely excited about the second contest, an art contest for children and youth. The theme is Christmas Community Spirit and can be any size or medium.
“The winning piece will be turned into a print for thank you cards to all the sponsors and any donors that have donated money to the project build fund.”
The winning artwork will also become the logo for next year’s event.
The winners and sponsors of the gingerbread house and art contest will be uploaded to a new legacy page on the website which will be added to each year.
Spence said they reached out to local PACs and the homeschooling community to let them know everyone is welcome and encouraged to submit an art entry.
Admission to the event will be the donation of food products to be used in the building of 10 gift baskets for families and seniors in the 108 Mile Ranch who might be in need of a little help over the holiday season.
Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
