The community of the 108 Mile Ranch held their annual fair on Saturday, May 24.
The 108 Fair is a combination of several different events throughout the community, including a crafters' market and business fair held at the 108 Mile Community Centre, an open house at the 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department, the grand opening of the 108 Golf Resort and the 108 Heritage Site's heritage fair. Ingrid Meyer, who is one of the directors of the 108 Mile Ranch Community Hall who helped organize the event, said that it was very important to showcase the talents and crafts in 108 Mile.
"Just tell everybody how wonderful the 108 is to live in, and how many wonderful crafters and local talent we have," said Meyer. Around 14 vendors had been present inside and outside the 108 Community Hall, including the 108 Mile Lions, who had been outside cooking up burgers.
Donna White, who is one of the directors of the 108 Mile Lions, said the Lions were selling those burgers as a part of fundraising for their many initiatives.
"For medical issues, to help families out, if they're dealing with transportation to children's hospitals, we will help with that. Basically, we consider the needs of whatever the request is for, if it looks like a humanitarian issue, then we more than likely will help, somehow put some funds towards it," White explained.
Over at the 108 Mile Ranch Volunteer Fire Department, hot dogs and chips were served as part of the open house that featured four fire trucks being shown off to the public. Chris Haddad, who is the 108 Mile VFD's fire chief, recently hired for another three-year term by the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), said that he was hoping to attract some new volunteers during the fair.
Those interested in volunteering for the 108 Mile Ranch VFD can apply online at the CRD's website. Haddad said it was good for the public image that the 108 Mile VFD be at the 108 Fair.
As for the golf course, which held its grand opening for 2025, Lee Hansen said that the opening had been a great success, with 140 attendees coming out to play some golf. Hansen says that he is leasing the golf course from the owners of the 108 Resort, and that he wanted to celebrate his family taking over the golf course.
"I signed a lease to rent the golf course off the owners, and so it's strictly my business. I put out the money for payroll, gasoline and I just pay them rent," Hansen said.
Hansen said that the turnout for the grand opening was "unbelievable."
"The support that I have being a local family in this town for so many years, that support is quite overwhelming. It makes me and my family feel very good." Hansen said.
As for the 108 Fair itself, Meyer said that she loves doing events like it, but wished that more community groups would participate.
"I wish that there would be more people, possibly, like the school and the airport, but the airport has now their big open house on June 15."
