The Fort McMurray fires may not be in the headlines on a minute-by-minute basis any longer, but that doesn’t mean residents of the city don’t still need some help.
Firefighters expect to be fighting the fire for weeks yet, but Fort McMurray residents will be able to start returning to their homes next month.
To help out with the relief efforts, the Bowmont Motel and the Penticton Triathlon Club have teamed up for a fundraiser this weekend in support of the relief efforts.
The day starts out with breakfast by donation at the Bowmont served up by Triathlon Club members, followed by what organizers hope will be a massive group ride. Shellie Best, spokesperson for the club, said Bowmont Motel owner Dan Tiessen, a cyclist himself, called her up and suggested the fundraiser, offering to sponsor the food if the Tri Club would be interested in helping out and cooking breakfast.
“Dan has an outdoor barbecue area there. We will do pancakes, I think, and probably sausages,” said Best.
Following breakfast, at about 9:30 a.m., the riders will start out with the group ride headed out to Road 22. Best said it is intended to be a fun ride.
“Basically we will all start out together and people will go as far as they want. Some may just go down to McLean Creek, and turn back, some may decide to keep going and then we will head out towards Oliver, for those that want to go further,” she said.
“I don’t usually eat pancakes before I go for a ride, but we will see,” joked Best.
Breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Bowmont Motel, 80 Riverside Drive.
Another fundraiser is happening on June 10 at the Barefoot Beach Resort at 7 p.m.
Rockin’ The Beach — a classic rock tribute night will feature eight different musical acts on the Skaha Beach Stage including Forever Young (Neil Young tribute) Breakdown (Tome Petty tribute) and others. The event will include a full one hour set by Forever Young and a closing set by Breakdown. In and around these performances the lineup of tribute singers will perform four songs of their chosen artist.
Advance tickets are $25 and a donation will be made to the Red Cross in support of the people impacted by the wildfires. Tickets are available at Yaki’s Pizza, Bad Tattoo Brewery or online at experientialtourism.ca/tribute. Tickets