The inaugural South Cariboo Outdoor and Recreation Show will give outdoor recreation organizations and businesses a chance to shine at the end of April.
Scheduled to take place at the South Cariboo Rec Centre from April 25 to 26, this event is modelled on the success of the rec centre's popular South Cariboo Women's Fair. Shelly Morton, the centre's events coordinator, said they've been asked several times to organize a show like this.
"We're excited to present a new show, the South Cariboo Outdoor and Recreation show and it's focused on highlighting what the South Cariboo has to offer in our area and the great outdoors," Morton said. "We've been asked over the years to have another show and this is the one we thought would be most beneficial to the area."
Morton said they are inviting resorts, businesses providing an outdoor recreation experience, outdoor recreation-focused clubs and sporting associations to come to the show and set up a booth to advertise what they do. She noted at a tourism forum she attended earlier this year a common theme was a need to find new ways to highlight the South Cariboo and what it has to offer, for both residents and potential tourists.
The rec centre already has several vendors attending and Morton is looking for more to sign up. She noted that they plan to build the show over time into an event on par with the women's fair.
"We're going to grow this show over the next while and hopefully it will be as successful as the women's fair, which is jam-packed full for this year," Morton remarked. "We have vendors like 100 Mile Horsepower Ranch bringing their big trucks in, groups like the Forest Grove Rod and Gun Club and Lone Butte Sporting Goods. Mount Timothy is signed up as well and groups like the 108 ATV Club which is really active in the community."
Morton said they have a big space to fill so she is hoping for as many participants and attendees as possible. She noted they will also have several local food truck vendors in attendance including Molly's Fish and Chips, the Summertime Bistro Bus and Chilcotin Chills.
Anyone looking to sign up as a vendor is encouraged to contact Morton at smorton@100milehouse.com or by calling 250-395-1353. The fees to register are the same as the women's fair with different tiers depending on how much space and tables the vendor wants to rent.
The show will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be no fee to enter the show and the public is encouraged to attend.
"We just want to stick with the theme of the outdoor experience and businesses that provide that experience that maybe the residents don't know about and want to learn a little bit more about what we have to offer," Morton said. "I am looking forward to seeing groups I might not know about. There are already some registered where I'm like 'wow, I didn't even know we had that.' I'm hoping we can bring that to the forefront."
