Dozens of children and parents filled the gym at 100 Mile House Junior Secondary on Feb. 2 for the free Family Fest headlined by an award-winning musician.
Norman Foote, from Vancouver, is known internationally for his songs and music for all ages.
He has been nominated for four Juno Awards for best children's album – 1990, 1993 and 2001 – and won in 2010. He released his eighth children's album, Always Be Yourself, in May 2013.
“Norm put on a great show,” said organizer Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye, Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Welcoming Communities co-ordinator.
“It was so funny for the adults, and the kids loved it.”
Following the event, put on by Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy with funding by WelcomeBC, a government initiative geared toward helping newcomers settle in the province, Vance-Lundsbye talked about wanting to book Foote in the future. She probably has a decent shot at doing that because he has a connection to the area
Foote inherited a cabin that his dad built at Canim Lake 40 years ago, and he's worked in the Cariboo for years.
“I've always loved 100 Mile House,” Foote said.
“You come down the hill and there it is – it's a beautiful setting. There's a wonderful energy here.”
Foote's music was a good fit with the message of Family Fest – “Be culture smart” – and the underlying themes related to it. He talked about children “believing in themselves” and people “empowering themselves” with inner strength.
“I love what I do. I love to connect with people.”
The event also saw a healthy lunch provided by the Hun City Hunnies, a number of children's activities and a collaborative art project.
“I don't think anybody left without getting lunch,” Vance-Lundsbye said.
“There was a huge lineup. It was excellent.
“The Hun City Hunnies did such a great job of putting on a healthy lunch suitable for everybody. Thanks go to them and the businesses that sponsored them with the food.”
