Sisters-in-law Emma-Mae Pratt (left) and Annette Star will be leading the fundraising efforts once again for the Osoyoos Fireworks Committee. The ladies took over fundraising from Frank Zandvliet (centre) who is still in charge of purchasing and setting up the fireworks every year. (Keith Lacey file photo)
The small group of volunteers who have taken up the challenge of raising money for the annual Osoyoos fireworks display on Canada Day are going out of their way to ensure the event remains a big deal in this community for years to come.
Annette Star, who along with her sister-in-law Etta Mae Pratt, will be entering their third year as fundraising co-ordinators for the Canada Day fireworks display in Osoyoos on Canada Day, have organized a fundraising Valentine’s Day dance, with all proceeds going towards the fireworks committee in town.
The Valentine’s Day dance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Elks Hall in Osoyoos.
“We want to make the Canada Day fireworks even bigger and to do that we are going to try and raise a few more dollars,” said Star. “We talked about different things and thought the idea of a Valentine’s Day dance might be a good idea.”
The fact a small community like Osoyoos has been able to host the second-largest Canada Day fireworks in the country – only the nation’s capital in Ottawa has a larger event – continues to amaze her, said Star.
“I’ve lived here for 12 years now and I still can’t believe how many people come to Osoyoos to enjoy the fireworks display on Canada Day,” she said. “It’s an amazing event that attracts thousands of visitors and it has helped put Osoyoos on the map for many years and we don’t ever want it to go away.”
Frank Zandvliet, the man responsible for purchasing and setting up the fireworks display and who was in charge of fundraising for 17 years before Star and Pratt volunteered to step in, will be joining the festivities on February 14.
The Elks Hall can hold 150 patrons and she’s confident the first-time event will be sold out, said Star.
“If we get good support, we would really like to make this an annual event,” she said. “It’s a good way to kick off the fundraising for the fireworks and it’s a fun event that allows the community to come together and enjoy a special occasion like Valentine’s Day.”
Local band Wined it Up will be performing throughout the evening and have agreed to play for free to assist the good cause, said Star.
The annual Canada Day fireworks in Osoyoos traditionally attracts in excess of 20,000 people to our community and some of the crowds over the past 20 years have been in excess of 30,000, said Star.
“The Canada Day fireworks are a big deal in this town and they will remain a big deal as long as Etta Mae and I are involved,” she said.
The Valentine’s Day dance will hopefully generate a significant amount of revenue for the fireworks committee, but Star and Pratt will once again be visiting all local businesses asking for donations starting in early May.
“The Canada Day fireworks in Osoyoos are fantastic, but our goal is to make them bigger and better than ever before and that’s why we’re holding this dance to try and raise more money for an even better event next year,” said Star. “We’re hoping to raise some money and have a really good time while doing it.”
Tickets for the upcoming dance are $15 and can be purchased at Imperial Office Pro on Main Street in downtown Osoyoos or by calling 250-495-6227.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
