The Rustico Reds put their best behinds forward on Sunday, May 26 to help raise money for Chloe Kroeger’s personal marathon – her fight against cancer.
A perfect way for the hundreds of Half-Corked Marathon racers still in the valley, many feeling the effects of Saturday’s costumed gallivanting past tasting stations of the Oliver-Osoyoos best wineries was to pancake up for a terrific cause on Sunday, May 26.
It was for three-year old Chloe Kroeger’s personal marathon: her race to fight cancer.
First light Sunday, volunteers from Smitty’s Family Restaurant, Valley First Credit Union, Oliver Copy Cat Printers, Osoyoos Lake Lions Club, Darlorn Septic, and the Oliver Sagebrushers set up to meet and greet local folks and visiting out-of-town Half-Corked Marathon runners.
Parking from Road 16 along Golden Mile Drive, surrounding Rustico’s 10-acre vineyard and driveways was Chloe’s grandpa Pat’s challenge. And with more than 500 guests joining the stampede-style pancake and sausage breakfast party, he had is hands full.
Country entertainer Alan Jackson tribute artist, Aaron Halliday shared the stage with well-loved local, Mikie Spillett and Ken.
Smart phones were a-humming when colour party, the Rustico Reds Half-Corked team from Canmore, Calgary, Banff and Kelowna arrived in their photo-op, open-bummed, old fashioned red long johns and by noon over $3000 filled the cowboy boots and jam jars for Chloe’s Valley First account.
Fundraising continues for Chloe and her family as a number of community and business-based events come together over the next few weeks to help out. Hopefully more will join in their festivities.
Bruce Fuller
Special to the Chronicle
