The City of Kamloops is not the only government to declare March 3-9 Cowboy Heritage Week.
City council made its annual declaration on Tuesday in advance of the 17th annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival, which takes place March 7-10.
Mark McMillan, president of the B.C. Cowboy Heritage Society, requested the official recognition while noting that the B.C. government has made the same proclamation for the same week.
McMillan said attendance has grown to 7,000 for the weekend from the 400 who took part in the inaugural festival. That represents 12,000 hotel beds for the weekend, he added.
The twin recognition isn’t a coincidence. McMillan approached his MLA, Donna Barnett, pointing out that Kamloops makes the declaration every year.
“Three weeks later, she excitedly said, ‘It’s done.’ ”
Council made two additional proclamations at Tuesday’s regular meeting: Feb. 17-23 as Scout/Guide Week, honouring the birth date of movement founder Robert Bade-Powell; and Feb. 17-23 as Chamber of Commerce Week.
Kamloops Chamber of Commerce will be doing some extra celebrating Wednesday with a grand opening at its new offices at 615 Victoria St. and the presentation of its new branding and logo, said executive director Deb McClelland.
