Thanks to a suggestion that came from the British Columbia Cowboy Heritage Society (BCCHS), B.C. now has its own official Cowboy Heritage Week.
Society president Mark McMillan of 70 Mile House says the BCCHS presented the idea to Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett early last month, and in a matter of a few weeks, a proclamation was issued by the provincial government to designate March 3-10, 2013 as Cowboy Heritage Week.
The proclamation, which recognizes the importance of cowboy heritage and the ranching industry to the province, was fittingly announced by Barnett at the 13th Annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert on Feb. 9.
McMillan says instigating such a proclamation was a natural.
"Our mandate is to promote and preserve cowboy heritage. To do a heritage week is so close to our mandate, it isn't funny."
The proclamation was one of several shining stars at the concert. A lineup of some of the best cowboy entertainers that B.C. has to offer, including Hugh McLennan, Gordie West, Matt Johnston and Frank Gleeson, kept the audience at two separate shows engaged from start to finish.
"The entertainers were super," says McMillan. "People said it was one of the best shows yet."