Canada marks the 157th anniversary of Confederation on Monday, July 1, and there is plenty of free, family-friendly fun (and lots of hot dogs) to be had at events being held throughout the region on that day.
In Cache Creek, the Canada Day Craze takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cache Creek Recreation Park on Quartz Road. This will be the Canada Day event for both Ashcroft and Cache Creek, as organizers of Canada Day in both communities have made the decision to alternate the location from year to year.
Sponsored by the Village of Cache Creek, the Cache Creek Firefighter Association, and the Desert Mesa Club, with funding from the Government of Canada, the event will feature a hot dog barbecue and refreshments, as well as special Canada Day cupcakes. There will also be yard games, a scavenger hunt, music, and kids' activities, including the ever-popular fire department slip 'n' slide for some cool fun.
Canada Day in Clinton, sponsored by the Village of Clinton with funding from the Government of Canada, features some good old-fashioned fun with a whole host of activities and events, most of which take place at Reg Conn Park from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An exception is the Clinton Seniors' Association annual Yard Sale, taking place at the seniors' centre at 217 Smith Avenue. It's only a hop, skip, and jump from Reg Conn Park, so head on over and help support the centre.
At Reg Conn Park, judging for the pie-baking contest begins at 10:30 a.m. (entries must be at the park no later than 10 a.m.). At 11 a.m. there will be a flag-raising, the singing of "O Canada", and remarks by Clinton mayor Roland Stanke, and hot dogs will start being served up at 11:30 a.m. At the same time, old-time races will start at the front of the stage, with participants organized by age group.
There will be a kids' cake walk starting at noon ($1 per entry), as well as face painting, and the winner of the pie-baking contest will be announced. Canada Day cupcakes will be served up by Citizen of the Year Wayne Marchant starting at 12:30 p.m. and at 1 p.m. the youth talent show begins, so come along and cheer some very talented (and brave) kids.
Throughout the event there will be bouncy castles for the kids, lawn games, a vendor market, and more. Organizers are still looking for cake donations for the cake walk, and volunteers to assist on the day are always welcome. For more information, call the Village of Clinton office at (250) 459-2261, or call Jessica Lawrence at (250) 819-3359.
Logan Lake has an action-packed day on July 1, starting with a pancake breakfast at the seniors' centre from 8 to 11 a.m. and a Canada Day parade. The grand opening of the community's new skateboard park at Maggs Park takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with demonstrations and giveaways. While you're at the park, you can enjoy a Classic Car Show from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which will include prizes, including a People's Choice award. To take part with your car, email nicoleowen6102@gmail.com; there is a $5 fee per registrant, which includes a professional photo for each car owner.
You can also head over to the Logan Lake recreation centre for an indoor market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a family fun zone including inflatables, sumo suits, giveaways from Logan Lake Literacy, live music, and much more.
The Savona Community Association is hosting a Canada Day beach barbecue in Savona, so get ready to party by the lake! The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature barbecued lunch, as well as cake and coffee, along with live music and games for kids and adults.
In 70 Mile House they're celebrating Canada Day at the 70 Mile Community Hall starting at 11 a.m. There will be barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs available by donation, as well as a chili cook-off, a tug-of-war competition, and children's games, including a sack race and a three-legged race. The 70 Mile Volunteer Fire Department will be there with a display of equipment and skills, and there will also be a duck penning competition. It's similar to team penning, only with ducks, and participants will be "mounted" on stick horses (available for rent at the event). For more information about signing up teams for the tug-of-war or duck penning, or entering the chili cook-off, email 70MileCanadaDay@gmail.com or call Sally at (250) 395-0278.
