“We've got Norman Foote coming – which is huge.”
Having the Juno award-winning musician play a free concert at Family Fest has made organizing the Feb. 2 event pretty easy, says Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye, Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL) Welcoming Communities co-ordinator for 100 Mile House and the South Cariboo.
“It's more about promotion. It's a really big thing for families in our community that they get to go to this quality show at no cost.”
Originally from Vancouver, Foote 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.
Foote has a cabin near Canim Lake, so he has a connection to the area, Vance-Lundsbye says.
“He was really excited and wanted to make it work. He told me this is one of his favourite places, so he was really motivated to play in 100 Mile for the kids here.”
She adds Foote's music fits with the Family Fest theme – “be culture smart.”
“It's about teaching kids to be sensitive to different cultures and learning about their own.... Norman's music really speaks a lot to that – about kindness and how you treat other people, and also about how you treat yourself.”
There will be designated seating for people who need chairs for the hour-long concert.
Doors open at the 100 Mile House Junior Secondary gym from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 10:30 a.m.
There will also be a healthy lunch provided by the Hun City Hunnies by donation, a collaborative art project and a book walk.
The gym does have a maximum capacity, so Vance-Lundsbye says people should show up early to guarantee entry.
Family Fest is organized by the CCPL with funding by WelcomeBC, a government initiative geared toward helping newcomers settle in the province.