The event — Into the Wild — will feature music from Barney Bentall, along with dancing, food trucks and a beer garden
Participants are encouraged to celebrate their experience at the Canada 55-plus Games at a wrap-up event on Thursday at the BC Wildlife Park.
The event — Into the Wild — will feature music from Barney Bentall, along with dancing, food trucks and a beer garden.
Doors open at 5 p.m., with Bentall slated to hit the stage at 6:30 p.m.
“This is just a great opportunity for athletes to come out after a long day of playing games and hang out with each other and meet other people,” said Morgan Yeomans, director of sponsorship, special events and protocol for the Games.
“Lots of these people have actually met before at past Games.”
Tickets are $30 and available online at ykanow.ca.
The price includes admission for a tour of the park (9077 Dallas Dr.) between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to have a fun time,” Yeomans said.
Tourism Kamloops notes the Games — the first of their kind to be held in B.C. — are expected to have an economic impact of about $3.5 million on the city, with about 5,000 people coming to town for the three-day event that got underway on Tuesday.
Games media contact Elsa Poppleton told KTW on Tuesday that Kamloopsians have stepped up to fill required volunteer positions. More than 600 helpers are needed, according to a Games press release.
The Canada 55-plus Games is a multi-sport event open to adults ages 55 and over, with focus on the social, physical and psychological wellbeing of the participants.
Nearly 3,000 participants are expected to compete in 26 events at 28 venues across the city, many of them contributing to about 6,000 room nights in local hotels.
“We are encouraging all of our local restaurants and attractions to staff up and be prepared for a major influx of visitors throughout the week,” Lisa Strachan of Tourism Kamloops said in a Kamloops Sports Council press release.
“This is going to be a fun-filled week of competitions, socialization and special events.”
