Residents and business owners alike are excited about the Lone Butte Rocks Day on June 23.
The brainstorm of Heather Nelson four years ago, Lone Butte Rocks brought community groups and business owners together to organize a day of fun and celebration in our community.
The first year was low key with business owners holding customer appreciation sales and barbecues. Community groups put together a flea market and craft bazaar.
In the three years following, it has grown to include numerous community group displays, a poker run that familiarizes participants with community businesses, a kids zone and entertainment on the Rotary stage. The entertainment will include a Tai Chi demonstration, belly dancing, and four musical performances.
Remember to get your name in early for the popular pie-eating contest at high noon.
A new thing this year will be a Lone Butte Rocks evening dance at the community hall with Mark Allen providing the music. Tickets are going fast, so pick yours up at the general store now if you want to take it in.
“During the first three years, money spent on advertising the event came out of the businesses’ and associations’ pockets,” says Nelson.
This year, thanks to Lone Butte Horse Lake Community Association (LBHLCA) president Christine Gallagher, the event received a grant from the Cariboo Regional District. The extra funds are greatly appreciated, and allowed events to get a bit bigger and add a few more fun activities for the day.
Without all the time and effort of everyone in the community and the numerous volunteers, this day would not be possible, says Nelson.
”I can't say enough about the support from the businesses and the associations, or about the hard work that all the volunteers have done and are doing.”
Mark Roseboom of Lone Butte Sporting Goods says Lone Butte Rocks is great for the businesses in the area.
“It gets people out to see what we have in our community.” Gayle Jones of the Lone Butte Historical Association notes the event boosted their yard sale profits, and with it being a main fundraiser for the year, it was greatly welcomed. Association memberships were also increased, as education about the rich history or the area is delivered to visitors, she adds.
Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department chief Jaret Scott says he sees the day as a great way to promote fire safety and education, offers an opportunity to attract new recruits and just let the public see what goes on Lone Butte.
As a resident who is quite involved in the community, a member of the LBHLCA and the community column writer, I see Lone Butte Rocks as being a wonderful way to get together and have fun with friends, while meeting new ones, too.