The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts is a nonprofit community arts organization based in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. It is registered under the business number 879988160RR0001. The organization hosts an annual festival that provides local children, teenagers, and community members with opportunities to showcase and develop their musical, vocal, instrumental, and dance talents through competitive performance categories.

Overview

The festival typically takes place over two weeks during the spring and culminates in a showcase concert. For example, the 2025 festival is scheduled from April 28 to May 9, with the final concert on May 10, held at Martin Exeter Hall. The event supports a wide range of performing arts disciplines including piano, vocal performances, school bands, instrumental solos, and dance. The inclusion of dance as a competitive category is a recent addition, reflecting the festival's expanding scope. Its inclusive approach encourages participation from artists of all ages and abilities, highlighted by memorable performances such as those by families integrating performers with disabilities.

Community Impact and Organization

The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts has been running for over four decades, with the 46th annual event held in 2024. It is regarded as a significant cultural event in the Cariboo region, providing valuable adjudication and feedback for young and emerging artists in the community. The festival’s president, Ginny-Lou Alexander, emphasizes the year-round commitment of a dedicated volunteer committee that organizes the event. Volunteers play a crucial role in the festival’s success, and community involvement is actively encouraged.

Programs and Participation

The festival accepts a diverse array of entries, with recent years seeing around 120 entries including groups. Registration deadlines typically fall in late winter, with the festival presented as a competitive adjudicated event. The organization adapts its committee meeting times to enable broader volunteer participation and strives to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all artists.

Affiliations and Recognition

The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts is recognized as a member festival within the competitive performing arts circuit of British Columbia. It is listed among provincial festivals that host non-commercial, adjudicated events for local performers. The festival is a key cultural institution for the 100 Mile House community and surrounding areas in the Cariboo Chilcotin region.

This summary is based on public information about the organization's festival activities, community role, and programmatic features as available from its website and regional cultural listings.