The turnout for the Cariboo Challenge Family Fun Night on Birch Avenue was down about 200 from the previous year, but key organizer Lucille Armstrong says she thought the event went "well" just the same.
"There were weather issues with the snow and the Wranglers game was going on and we were a little bit later in the month in January. We had a bit of a struggle there, but all in all, I thought it went really well."
However, Armstrong says the service groups and other organizations in the community hall were happy because they had a lot of people come through and "they were being happy and having a great time."
She notes the children's games in front of the community hall were extremely busy.
"It was amazing and we had more participants than last year."
However, the Whacky Games and Races in the Donex Pharmacy & Department Store parking lot did fare so well, she says, adding it had poor lighting and people could not see very well.
"It was pretty quiet down at that end [of Birch Avenue]. We gave it our best shot, but it will have to be changed up next year."
She thanks the merchants for the donations to the Merchant Baskets, which were won by: Children, Robin Fry; Teen, Isabella Cibrian; and adult, June Sund.
Armstrong says the main attraction was the broomball games and they were great, with the competitors having a lot of fun for the eight-team, single-knockout tourney.
"There was a little bit of roughness but nobody got hurt and the spectators just loved it."
She notes the Sunrise Ford team won the event and donated its $2,000 cheque to the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre.
"The best part of the night was seeing the community pull together and have a little winter fun."
Noting there was a lot of effort put into organizing and running the event, Armstrong says she is looking for some people to step up to help – both as volunteers and organizers.
Anyone who is interested in helping with the event can call Armstrong at 604-815-8625 or 250-395-7743.
"I would still love to volunteer for it and share the information and process that we did with whomever would like to take on the planning process. Also, this is the kickoff for the Cariboo Challenge Dog Sled Race, so perhaps they may have other ideas and plans for the future of the event."
Armstrong notes there was an "awesome team" that put it together this year, but it's still a lot of work.
The organization team included Louise Mayes, Bruce Madu, Ulli Vogler, Elaine Sanders, Norm Bennett, Pam Dafoe and Millie Halcro.
"Rob Fry was our go-to guy and advised on how to make things run more smoothly. Donna Barnett was a great help during the event. She just pulled up her sleeves and said 'what can I do to help'.
"I feel extremely fortunate to have her in our community and willing to give her time to these events."
Armstrong thanks all the businesses that donated to the Merchant Baskets, the media, and the people who supported the event and those who came out to enjoy it.