A new batch of painted rocks will be distributed across the South Cariboo this summer.
100 Mile House's Small Town, Big Smiles, a newly formed grassroots group, is launching its first major community event this summer. Founder Kristin Buxton and volunteer Saturn Zezza said they've decided to start with a small project that will have a big impact.
"It will get people outside during the warm weather and there's nothing like finding a little treasure in nature," Zezza said. "We're just at the start of the beautiful season here, so I'm hoping people will feel encouraged to go out and explore and maybe check out some spots they've never been to. It's kind of like a little scavenger hunt."
The Great Cariboo Rock Project, as it's loosely called, is being run on Friday, July 11, at the South Cariboo Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Small Town, Big Smiles will have a table set up loaded with rocks for the community to come and paint with over 50 different paint pens. Buxton said the project is being funded by a $500 grant from the Neighbourhood Small Grants foundation.
Buxton explained that because Small Town, Big Smiles is a new initiative, they don't have a lot of money at the moment, so a rock painting project was deemed an effective way to engage the community and spread the word about who they are and what they do. On the back of each rock, Buxton and Zezza will be adding #smalltownbigsmiles before distributing them throughout the community.
"We're going to place them throughout the South Cariboo on different trails, in town. Then we're hoping people will find them, flip the rock over and find our hashtag and look for us on Instagram or Facebook," Buxton explained. "Then they can take a picture of themselves with the rock or just share a story of where they found the rock. They can either leave the rock there or go ahead and put it somewhere new and give somebody else a chance to fight it. It will help connect people, share stories and give everyone something fun to do."
Zezza and Buxton said those who attend the painting workshop at the farmers market are invited to paint whatever they want on the rocks, so long as it's appropriate, cheerful and colourful. While they have a goal to get 50 completed, Zezza said they can always add more rocks if enough people come out.
The two noted that the project will be family-friendly and the paint pens are a great way for children to express their creativity without getting messy. Zezza said they hope the weather will be nice and that people will come out and enjoy the "beautiful vibe" of the market.
Zezza added they joined Small Town, Big Smiles because of the love they have for 100 Mile House that the group's other members share. Buxton said the group wants to use the existing resources and assets 100 Mile House already has to create a more connected and happy community.
"Our group was based on asset-based community development, or ABCD. We look at the community as half full and we look at the gifts and assets in the community and we take those assets and gifted and build upon them to hopefully create some amazing things," Buxton said.
Zezza agreed, noting that the group is based on positivity and looking at the community's strengths, rather than focusing on its weaknesses.
"I am really passionate about 100 Mile House. I really feel like it's a great community. I like volunteering and I'm involved in a few groups, so I just thought it was a great opportunity to put smiles on people's faces," Zezza remarked.
Buxton and Zezza hope that other people who share their love for the community come out to this Friday's farmers' market and take part in this first project. Zezza teased that they have other community projects and events in the works, but wouldn't say what they are just yet.
"It will be painting rocks and giving out info on the farmers' market day. We do have some other projects that are going to be happening in the future, which we'll talk about at some point," Zezza remarked. "For now, we're just starting small."
