A Day Of Celebrations Helps Mackenzie Countdown

By 250 News

Mackenzie's Spirit Square when the 5 finalists were announced  photo courtesy 'Mackenzie BC is Hockeyville' Facebook page

Prince George, B.C. - The anticipation is mounting in Mackenzie...

The community is one of five finalists waiting on pins-and-needles for this evening's crowning of Kraft's 2011 Hockeyville.  The others in the running are: Bentley, Alberta, Wolfe Island, Ontario, Saint Raymond, Quebec, and Conception Bay South, Newfoundland.

One of the 'Mackenzie is Hockeyville" organizers, Alicia Borenheim, says festivities in the town actually kicked off last night, with two local bands taking to the Spirit Square stage.  And she says a full day is planned, starting with a pancake breakfast this morning and continuing through to this evening's announcement during the first intermission of the late NHL game on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.  "It's a nice way to end the ride that we've all been on together - we've invited all of the surrounding communities and expect a lot of people to attend - to thank everyone that's helped us get this far."

Borenheim says there are free hockey clinics being put on throughout the day for all age groups, four-on-four tournaments, and drop-in road hockey.  B.C.-born NHL alum, Russ Courtnall, will be in Mackenzie for the day.  The Chief of the McLeod Lake Indian Band, Derek Orr, and band elders will be opening the stage in Spirit Square at 12:45pm and there will be live entertainment all afternoon, including Prince George country recording artist, Rick Stavely.

Then, at 7pm tonight, residents and visitors will gather in Spirit Square.  Borenheim says the CBC has "a whole bunch of activities that are yet to be announced and, of course, the big, BIG announcement."

Regardless of the name called out tomorrow night, Borenheim says Mackenzie has grown, and become re-energized and revitalized by the experience.  "I feel like we've already won just because of everything we've done and accomplished," she says.  "It's just shown people that we are not a one industry town, it's given Canada a chance to see that we're a town full of spirit and we're a town that can do anything we want to if we put our hearts into it and that's what Mackenzie is about - we're a family."

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