Organizers are making final preparations ahead of a rock concert for youth set to take place outside the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Oct. 12.
The show features Vancouver punk band Childsplay and a number of local acts. The event is called “Youth Zone Rock Fest 2013” and is part of Childsplay's “The Next Generation Tour.”
The group is touring parts of Alberta and British Columbia this month with their anti-racism and anti-bullying message – themes that appeal to local co-organizers, especially at this time of year.
“It's always a tough thing at the start of the new school year and we see [bullying] all the time,” says youth support worker Tammy Mikkelsen, who works at the Youth Zone in 100 Mile House, which is a Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre program.
“It's a good message. We don't have to wait for anti-bullying day, we can make it known now.”
Stuff like T-shirts and stickers will be given away and a $500 longboard will be raffled off by the tour's promoter. Mikkelsen is in the process of lining up local youth acts to perform.
The event is slated from 2 to 5 p.m.
The 100 Mile House Wranglers will be signing autographs from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. ahead of a game against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League play later that evening.
Cariboo Amateur Hockey Association games are also going on in 100 Mile House throughout the day, so the arena is expected to be a happening location.
“We know that's the perfect place to have the concert,” Mikkelsen says. “This next week is going to be fun.”
Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted by the Youth Zone, which hosts after-school programs throughout the week and a free hot dinner on Fridays. They also use any extra food to help out local families in need.
“We've had some families that needed help and we noticed it by talking to youth. We just like to help them out.”