The Cariboo Christian Life Fellowship (CCLF) at 108 Mile Ranch isn't about to let Canada's 150th birthday go by without a suitable celebration.
It's offering a whole month of free, weekend celebrations from barbecues and a car show to family-friendly comedy and games, plenty of live music, and even a Vacation Bible School for children.
"When it comes to celebrating Canada's birthday, we're all in," says CCLF Pastor Rick Barker. "In fact, we want to lead the way with a month chocked full of events to celebrate our country's heritage."
On Canada Day, July 1, CCLF is starting celebration engines with a 100 Mile Cruzers Car Club Show-N-Shine at the church with about 40 hot rods and classic cars on display followed by a huge, free barbecue for families.
"The show gets revved up at 1 p.m."
Co-organizer Marie Allison says after the kick-off on Saturday, July 1, the church will host more fun with a Canada-themed Family Circle with games on every following Friday during the month (July 7, 14, 21 and 28) – and free hotdogs.
Family Circle welcomes the community to gather around a fire, roast hot dogs, play volleyball and bocce ball, throw a football and "enjoy" good old Canadian mosquitoes, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at CCLF.
On each of the Saturdays following (not July 1) at 7 p.m, the church will really get things swinging beside the big barn over at the 108 Heritage Site.
"We have booked the Heritage Site band shell for a series of concerts and we've got a 'clean' comedian coming in [Leland Klassen], and some musicians are booked after that, for every Saturday night [except Canada Day] during the month – so July 8, 15, 22 and 29."
A concession will be operating at the site, offering meals that will hopefully be free if a grant comes through, or otherwise offered at cost, she explains.
"Then during the last week, we have a Vacation Bible School going that is themed from our National Anthem, O Canada. Every day will be a different phrase from our national anthem, and that will go from July 24-28, five days."
The campers will then welcome everyone else at the final Canada's 150th Celebration, Family Circle and games night with – you guessed it — free hotdogs.
CCLF is at 4930 Telqua Dr., from the main entrance to 108 Mile Ranch at Easzee Drive heading west off Highway 97, then Telqua is the first right and you will be facing the church.
The 108 Heritage Site is just off Highway 97, at the north entrance to 108 Mile Ranch. (While there is an annual Canada Day event running there on July 1, it is not connected with CCLF.)
For more information on the Bible school, which takes place at the church, e-mail Children's Pastor Hiedi Mack at hiedi@cclf.ca.
For more details on the other events, contact the CCLF office at 250-791-5532 or e-mail info@cclf.ca, or read the Pastor's Blog at http://cclf.ca/blog/celebrating-canada.