While it may not fall on a long weekend this year, the 157th Canada Day is being celebrated across the South Cariboo on Tuesday, July 1. The following celebrations are free for the public to attend.
108 Mile Ranch
In the South Cariboo, the largest Canada Day celebration is once again taking place at the 108 Heritage Site. Kelly Carnochan, president of the 100 Mile and District Historical Society, said the event will begin at 10 a.m. and will kick off at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony.
"There will be a couple of singers and we're hoping for some drummers and dancers. We'll have some quilting and weaving going on and we'll be doing events throughout the day," Carnochan said.
In addition to its regular Heritage Market vendors, Carnochan said the Canada Day celebrations will feature face painting, bouncy castles, a vintage car show, 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department trucks, food trucks and demonstrations by Cariboo Bladed Combat. At 1 p.m. the winner of the 2024 South Cariboo Citizen of the Year will be announced on a stage set up on the north side of the heritage site.
Carnochan noted that the heritage site's buildings will also be open for tours, including the old one-room schoolhouse. She joked that all the students who just got out of school can go right back in and take a class.
"I just love seeing all the people and receiving all the positive comments on how much fun they had," Carnochan said. "It's a great family event."
Members of the historical society will also be running a 50/50 throughout the event, with all proceeds going to the 108 Heritage Site. The event runs until 3 p.m.
Anyone looking to volunteer during the celebration or who would like to find out more can contact the 108 Heritage Site at 250-791-5288.
Forest Grove
In Forest Grove, Canada Day celebrations are being kicked off early by the Forest Grove Legion Branch 261.
The Legion is hosting its For the Love of Canada Celebration on Saturday, June 28. The event will include a Beefed Up Meat Draw from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a 50/50 draw at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are then invited to attend a 'Twilight Twirl' dance with live music running from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Dinner will be a special chicken Parmesan dish.
Following Saturday night's event, the Legion also invites the community to attend the annual Canada Day Celebration at Ruth Lake Park on Canada Day itself. Getting underway at 10 a.m. this event runs until 2 p.m. and will feature free burgers, hot dogs and cake provided by the Legion. Those who attend the celebration are asked to bring their own chairs and a homemade dish for a community potluck.
70 Mile House
The 70 Mile Community Club is hosting a Canada Day celebration at the 70 Mile Community Hall starting at 11 a.m. There will be free hamburgers and hot dogs at this family event. It starts with a bocce ball tournament at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served up from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and you can register your chilli dish ($5 per entry) for the chilli cash contest.
At 1 p.m. there will be a lawn mower/tractor parade contest (register your float for $5 per entry), followed by chicken poop bingo, and hobby-horse barrel racing and pole bending starting at 2 p.m. The chilli contest winner will be announced at 3 p.m., along with the winners of the 70 Mile 50/50 draw and the 70 Mile Volunteer Fire Department early bird draw.
Clinton
In Clinton, events kick off at Reg Conn Park at 10:45 a.m., but if you want to get bragging rights in the pie-baking contest, you need to pre-register by Friday, June 27: call or text Sandi at 250-852-1203, or send a message to Maria McFarland on Facebook. Entries must be at the park by 10:30 a.m. on July 1, with the results announced at noon.
The event, presented by the Spirit of Clinton, starts with the flag-raising, the singing of “O Canada,” and remarks from Mayor Roland Stanke. Free hot dogs will be served up starting at 11:30 a.m., with free cupcakes served up at 12:30 p.m. by Clinton’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, Joanne O’Flynn.
Face painting takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m., and there will also be kids’ activities sponsored by the Clinton Minor Sports Association, a fishing game sponsored by the Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsmen Association, a cake walk sponsored by the Clinton Annual Ball committee and volunteers, and vendors. Don’t forget to stop by the Clinton Seniors’ Association at 217 Smith Avenue for their annual Canada Day yard sale.
With files from Barbara Roden.
