Another exciting Heritage Week in Clinton kicks off with the opening of the Clinton Museum for the season on May 16.
On May 17, the 147th Clinton Annual Ball – an elegant dinner and dance with entertainment – will be held at Clinton Memorial Hall. It is thought to be Canada’s longest running annual event.
Guests, who will be in period costumes, will dance to the Evergreen Drifters and enjoy entertainment by the comedian and magician Clinton W. Gray. Tickets are available by calling 250-459-7725.
From May 17 to 24, businesses are encouraged to participate in the Heritage Week Dress-up Contest. Judging will be done on May 23.
On May 23, the Old Timers Tea will be held at the community hall from 2 to 4 p.m. This is a free event where longtime friends meet and share stories, and it has been the tradition to be held on the Friday before the rodeo for more than 50 years.
The annual parade takes place on May 24, starting at 11 a.m. Folks who would like to participate in the parade should contact Wayne Griffith or Bonnie Stanke, or entry forms can be picked up at Integris.
Following the parade, the Lions hold their beef-in-a-bun fundraiser down town. The Lions also have free hotdogs for the children at the fire hall.
The rodeo kicks off at 1 p.m. the same day, and the 4H steak dinner with all the trimmings will be available at 5 p.m. at the rodeo grounds. The rodeo dance follows the dinner at 8 p.m., and the beverage gardens will remain open in between those two events. There will be a concession at the dance. On May 26, the pancake breakfast at the rodeo grounds is at 9 a.m., which is when the rodeo slack starts. The rodeo is at 1 p.m.
Tickets to the rodeo are $12 for adults and $8 for students and folks over 65.
Katie McCullough is the correspondent for the Village of Clinton.