It’s officially summer – an exciting time to be in Cariboo-Chilcotin!
I encourage locals and visitors alike to partake in some fishing throughout the riding, especially along our picturesque “Fishing Highway,” Highway 24. The third annual spring fishing derby is already underway, taking place until the end of June. But you don’t need to be an angler to take advantage of the 100 or so lakes in this corridor, where families can swim, paddle, or relax.
Cariboo-Chilcotin also offers some of the best mountain biking and hiking – greater Williams Lake alone has 200 mountain biking tracks. Plus, a vibrant arts community stretches throughout this beautiful region. Just the other week, I enjoyed the lovely music, incredible paintings, and great conversation at Ashcroft Plein Air. Throughout this entire season, there will be an abundance of music and entertainment in our parks, not to mention our wide array of farmer’s markets.
I also got the opportunity to celebrate National Range Day earlier this month at the Lone Butte Fish and Wildlife Association, the Williams Lake Rod and Gun Club, and the Forest Grove Rod and Gun Club. That’s right, I toured them all! Thank you to the rod and gun clubs in Cariboo-Chilcotin for inviting not just myself but our residents to try the sport and learn about the sport.
We are now mere days away from the world-famous Williams Lake Stampede – an event very close to my heart as a former volunteer and director of the Williams Lake Stampede Association and former bareback rider in the BC Rodeo Association. The Stampede Parade on Saturday June 28th is not to miss – it truly is massive. This year's parade theme is “Hockey is Our Game.”
And the fun doesn’t stop there – in early July the Bridge Lake Stampede and Anahim Lake Rodeo are also taking place!
We are about to welcome thousands of visitors to our area and I know that they will be treated like royalty.
To the out-of-towners, I say: enjoy our desert landscape, beautiful lush forests, rugged snow-covered mountain caps, and of course, meeting the people of Cariboo-Chilcotin!
We are truly blessed to live where we do, and I know that our guests will be raving about our part of the province, no matter what they choose for recreation.
Spend this summer enjoying the pancake breakfasts, barbecues, rodeos, parades, and everything else our region has to offer!
