Birch Avenue will be party central on Jan. 9.
There will be no shortage of fun community events and activities at Cariboo Challenge Family Fun Night.
Human foosball, a broomball tournament, children's activities, a gift basket draw and a parade are all part of the fun from 5 to 9 p.m.
While a lack of snow has put the 2015 Cariboo Challenge Jack Gawthorn Memorial Sled Dog Race, set for Jan. 10-11, in jeopardy, the street party is marching on.
(The cancellation deadline for the race was Dec. 31, after press time.)
Safeway, Williams Lake & District Credit Union, RBC, South Cariboo Search and Rescue, 100 Mile House RCMP, Sunrise Ford, Centennial Law and 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue have entered teams in the broomball tournament.
The winning team wins the honour of choosing its favourite local registered charity to benefit from a $2,000 donation from the entry fees.
A “Financial Challenge” organized by local banks will see an exciting obstacle course-type race with $1,000 also going to a local charity.
By making a purchase from a participating merchant, visitors are entered into a draw for a huge prize basket. Merchants will be staying open late so people can get their tickets.
A Northern Lights Parade kicks things off at 5 p.m.
Local musician Peter Thorne will be playing at the Chartreuse Moose.
More than a dozen groups will have displays for visitors set up in the 100 Mile Community Hall.
The Sugar Shack is serving poutine and toffee on ice. The Firehouse Diner is serving foot-long hotdogs and chilli. BJ's Donut & Eatery will be open late.
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School grads are doing face painting and serving popcorn and cotton candy.
Every penny raised at this event – excluding food from restaurants – is going to local charities, organizer Lucille Armstrong explains.
“Any excess monies from donations we collect will be donated in the end to local charities as well.”
The event is “for the community by the community,” she adds.
“This is going to be a really big thing for the community if they want to make it that.”
For more information, or to get involved, contact Armstrong at 250-395-7743 (or armstronglucille@gmail.com) or Pam Dafoe at 250-397-0018 (or pamdafoe@hotmail.com).
Or visit Cariboo Challenge Family Fun Night on Facebook.
“We appreciate everything that everyone has donated,” Armstrong says. “We have tried to incorporate something for everybody.”