(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

colombo lodge

Colombo Lodge celebrating more than 30 year old New Year’s Eve tradition

Dec 31, 2024 | 5:01 PM

KAMLOOPS- For more than three decades, the Colombo Lodge has been the heart of New Year’s Eve celebrations for many in Kamloops.

This year is no exception, with tickets to the New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance once again selling out.

Ross Spina, president of the Colombo Lodge, emphasized the celebration’s cultural significance.

“It’s a big festival in Italy,” Spina said.

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“There are four key ingredients: friends, family, food and festivity.”

According to Spina, all four of these are featured at the lodge’s annual party.

As the clock strikes twelve, partygoers will raise a glass of prosecco and enjoy traditional Italian panettone.

While celebrating Italian heritage, Spina says the annual party has become a cornerstone of community bonding and fundraising efforts for community members of all ethnicities.

“Colombo [Lodge] has been well established, well over 100 years in this community,” Spina added.

“We have a number of public banquets, and these public banquets are fundraisers for us. But not only just for our society, but they’re fundraisers for the community because what we fundraise goes back into the community in very positive ways.”