After a night of torrential rain, Canada Day started out with the sun carefully peeking out. This boded well for a full day of fun activities around Clearwater.
The District of Clearwater hosted Canada celebrations at Dutch Lake beach.
The day began at 11 a.m. with Lisalee Campbell singing O' Canada, followed by an impressive horseback riding demonstration from the North Thompson Drill Team in the field opposite the Dutch Lake beach parking lot. The team was cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd that had gathered on the side of the road.
At noon Barry, Penny, and their daughter Alyssa Bampton officially unveiled the Bampton Recreation Area sign.
Following the unveiling, different activities could be enjoyed on the beach. There was drumming, face painting, Zumba on the Beach, and storytelling. Kathleen Cook Waldron read to the children from her book “Round Up at the Palace”.
Then the afternoon was interrupted by another big downpour with thunder and lightning but that didn’t deter people and they cozily huddled together under the food tent in the parking lot.
At the same time, the Raft River Rockhounds had organized a fun afternoon for the whole family on the Clearwater Country Inn/Blue Loon Grill Grounds. Jewelry, craft, and food vendors had set up their gazeboes around the field.
Daryll Laboucan from Kamloops did drumming sessions with kids on beautifully decorated First Nations drums at the Spirit Bear Village. At 2:30 p.m. the live music began which lasted well into the late afternoon.
The day ended with a dinner and a dance at the community hall and when darkness set in some fire works concluded this wonderful day.
– Margot Venema