Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay Update

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Plans are falling into place for the arrival of Williams Lake’s own Rick Hansen on March 25 as part of the Man in Motion’s 25th Anniversary Relay.

The celebration will begin at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex at 4:25 p.m. The Rotary Club will host a barbecue in the Complex parking lot adjacent to the new wheelchair accessible entrance to the ice rinks. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be available for $3.00 each and $5.00 for a family which will include a beverage. A 25th Anniversary cake will be served in the lobby of Rink One.

Guests will also be able to view a collection of interactive educational activities and displays from the Rick Hansen Foundation and local memorabilia during the first hour of the celebration. Entertainment will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a welcome and drumming by Chief Ann Louie and the Williams Lake Indian Band. Local radio announcer Dale Taylor will be the Master of Ceremonies for the Williams Lake component of the event. The entertainment line-up also includes the Cariboo Men’s Choir, Sam Tudor and Robyn Ferguson, LeRae Haynes, Cindy Lightfoot and friends, the Goddard Family and Don Alder. At 5:30 p.m. the final medal bearer, Bruce MacLeod, along with Rick Hansen, will be piped onto the stage by Mike Berns.

Speakers will include Mayor Kerry Cook, Cariboo Regional District Chair Al Richmond, Rick Hansen and Don Alder, who will also have a short performance.

“This event is only possible because of the hard work of the Rick Hansen End of Day Celebration Committee, made up of City staff and volunteers, and the exceptional buy-in of local businesses and volunteers, such as Scotiabank, the Rocky Mountain Ranger cadets, and Stampede royalty and contestants,” says Councillor Surinderpal Rathor, who is the City’s Accessibility Committee’s representative.

“Mark your calendars, as this will be a fantastic event and a great opportunity to welcome home Rick Hansen,” stated CRD Director Joan Sorley. “Rick is truly an inspiration and a role model for our youth. He has overcome adversity and challenges in his own life, and used them to touch the lives of people around the globe.”