British Columbia Canada Blog

BC’s summer wouldn’t be exciting without these interesting summer festivals which are held in the month of July in various cities of British Columbia. We would highly recommend attending some of these summer festivals, if you can to get true taste of BC’s culture and to make your 2010 summer special. You can also plan a summer weekend getaway and have fun at these BC events.

4th Annual North Vancouver Party-at-the-Pier : Celebrating the North Shore’s maritime community, featuring marine-themed activities, displays, entertainment and the Seaspan Tugboat Ballet. - Foot of Lonsdale and the adjacent piers, North Vancouver - July 17 and 18

More info: www.lowerlonsdalebusinessassociation.com

Nanaimo Marine Festival : Features the world-famous Bathtub Race. - Nanaimo Harbour, Nanaimo, B.C. - July 22-25 - Free entrance

More info: www.bath-tubbing.com

23rd Annual Mission Folk Music Festival : Diverse and eclectic lineup of music from across Canada and around the world. - Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission, B.C - July 23-25

More info: www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca

6th Annual Bonfire Music Festival : A three-day, hassle-free, art-infused weekend of exceptional music, camping and fun. - The Moon Farm, 9506 Pemberton Portage Rd., Birken, B.C. - July 23-25

More info: www.bonfirefestival.com

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest : Family oriented, and agriculturally educational annual event.  Maple ridge, BC- July 24 and 25 

More info: www.mrpmcountryfest.com

Caribbean Days Festival : A weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. - Waterfront Park, North Vancouver - July 24 and 25

More info: www.caribbeandays.ca

6th Annual Honeybee Festival : Celebrates honeybees and our community with a host of amazing exhibits and fun activities. - Honeybee Centre, 176th St. and Fraser Hwy., Surrey, BC- July 24 and 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Free,

More info:  www.honeybeecentre.com

Vancouver Early Music Festival : This early-music festival celebrates 40 years with a concert series dedicated to Monteverdi. - UBC Campus - July 25-Aug. 14

More info: www.earlymusic.bc.ca

Kamloops PowWow : One of the largest celebrations of First Nations’ culture in Western Canada. - Kamloops, B.C.-July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.tourismkamloops.com

Komasket Music Festival : Okanagan’s cultural family music celebration features music and dance by more than 150 performers. - Komaskey Park, Vernon, B.C-July 30-Aug. 1

Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival : A great variety and lineup of groups performing on the unique floating stage that rests just offshore the sandy beach of Kootenay Lake. - Kaslo, B.C - July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.kaslojazzfest.com

Centre of Gravity Festival : Concert series, DJ and fashion shows, after parties and over 150 pro athletes competing in six different sports. - City Park, Kelowna, B.C - July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.centerofgravity.ca

The Filberg Festival : More than 120 artisans, great food and lively entertainment for all ages. - Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, Comox, B.C - July 30-Aug. 2 

More info: www.filbergfestival.com

Spirit of the Sea Festival : Weekend full of free fun, including a children’s carnival and parade, beach games and races, fireworks and continuous live entertainment.  White Rock, B.C - July 30-Aug. 2

More info: www.spiritofthesea.ca

20th Annual Harmony Arts Festival : Brings programs, events and concerts along the West Vancouver’s waterfront– all free of charge. July 30-Aug. 8 

More info: www.harmonyarts.net

7th Annual Vancouver Dyke March and Festival: Afternoon of celebration, music and fun. - March from McSpadden Park to Victoria Park, Commercial Drive area - July 31, march at 12 p.m., festival at 1 p.m. 

More info: www.vancouverdykemarch.com

Tsawwassen Sun Festival : Features a parade, children’s midway, antique fair, marketplace, slow pitch tournament, BMX air show, main stage entertainment, fireworks and food. - Winskill Park, Tsawwassen - July 31-Aug. 2

More info: www.sunfestival.ca

 If you don’t have any plans for mid July weekend then why not head up to Prince George to watch Elton John perform live ?

On Friday, July 16th 2010 Elton John will be performing at the CN Centre (located on 2187 Ospika Road) in Prince George, British Columbia. The tickets for the show are priced between: $215-$575

Various websites online are selling tickets so hurry otherwise they might get sold.

To plan your next BC trip, visit: BC Travel Guide

Visiting Vancouver in April and looking for some fun? Why not attend Mardi Gras 2010 by Student Nurses of Douglas College in Vancouver on Thursday, April 29th 2010 from 7.00 pm to 3.00 am at Ceilis Irish Pub in Downtown Vancouver on 670 Smithe and Granville St.

The entry fee is only $10.00/person.  MARDI GRAS 2010 is actually a grad fundraiser and proceeds from the event will go towards their graduation ceremony. The event features live bands with east coast music, tons of beads, prizes and 50/50 draw.

Food and Drink specials include:
Buckets of ribs $4
All domestic and premium domestic pints $4
Highballs $4

It’s a 21+ event so be prepared to show your ID.

Interested? For ticket info. email:
laughdancegraduate@gmail.com

 Related links:

Your guide to Vancouver

Cumberland, British Columbia (on Vancouver Island) will host its 2010 Motorcycle roundup on August 7th and 8th 2010 at 2701 Dunsmuir Ave. Cumberland, BC.

If you love motorbikes, then don’t miss this exciting event. The entire business community will be ‘leathered up’ for 2010 Motorcycle roundup and a variety of booths will display everything from motorcycles to leather clothing, tattoos and biker paraphernalia. There are numerous pubs and restaurants on the main street in Cumberland for bikers and visitors to kick back and enjoy excellent food and refreshments, and entertainment.

The Comox Valley has numerous hotels and motels for bikers who wish to spend the night. Comox Lake, located in Cumberland, is only 3 ½ miles away from the downtown area for those who wish a refreshing swim or a forested drive to this recreational area. Camping is also available at the lake at the Cumberland Lake Park Campground.

For reservations, call 250-336-2644

The show will begin on Saturday, August 7^th, 2010 with Show and Shine. The registration will take place from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Judging will be at 1:00 pm with awards for first, second, and third place given out at 3:00 p.m. Registration cost for the Show and Shine is only $10.00 per bike. So, if you are proud of your bike then shine it up for this show. The Motorcycles entered in the Show and Shine will be displayed in the centre of Dunsmuir Avenue, the main street of the Village.

To make the things interesting, there will be a Pancake Breakfast at the Cumberland Legion on Dunsmuir Ave from 9.00 a.m. until 11:00 am on Saturday and Sunday morning for $5.00.There will also be food booths, children’s areas and bike games to follow with prizes. Raffles will be held both days with proceeds donated to Tour De Rock.

On Sunday, August 8^th 2010 the Fistful of Dollars Poker Run will entail a scenic ride through the Comox Valley including a stop on beautiful Mt Washington. There will be a terrific buffet provided by Mt. Washington Ski Hill, and a ride up the ski lift for the driver OR the passenger to get the third card. Five cards will be given out at five locations. The final card will be collected at the Cumberland Hotel where there will be lots of great draws and prizes, even if you don’t have the winning hand. I would say,definitely worth playing for all the fun and adventure.

Registration for the Fistful of Dollars Poker Run is from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and the cost is $10.00 per bike

A quick look at all the details:

Saturday August 7th

• 9am : Pancake Breakfast Cumberland Legion
• 10am - 12noon : Registration
• 12noon : Show & Shine
• 1pm : Judging
• 3pm Awards in Village Square

Bike games to immediately follow awards.Sunday August 8th

• 9am : Pancake Breakfast Cumberland Legion
• 11am : Fistful of Dollars Poker Run - Proceeds donated to Cops for Cancer

For more information, about the show, call: Jean Cameron at 250-336-8746 

If you are looking for a great way to relax after an exciting day on Whistler slopes then try out Scandinave Spa in Whistler.

Situated just north of Whistler Village, B.C., engulfed in a spruce and cedar forest on the edge of Lost Lake and Spruce Grove parks, this unique spa overlooks incredible mountain vistas and valleys. Invigorate and cleanse your body and mind in the hot baths and refreshing waterfalls, melt away with a relaxing massage, and breathe in the invigorating country air.

Scandinavian baths are a year-round spa activity worth trying. This unique bath experience cleanses the skin, improves physical and aerobic conditioning and produces and increases sense of well-being. To enjoy the full benefits of the baths, alternate the body warming with refreshing cold water rinses and relaxation sessions 3 or 4 times. The whole experience should take about 2 to 3 hours. For the ultimate relaxation, complete the experience with a Swedish, Hot Stone, or Thai Yoga massage.

The packages at Scandinave Spa in Whistler start at about $50/person. For more information, visit: Scandinave Spa in Whistler

Plan your next Spa vacation in BC with BC Travel Guide

Spring Break is in full swing and am sure you are ready to get out with your kids and have some spring family fun. Spring Break Sno Jam is being held at Mt. Washington, British Columbia from March 8th 2010 till March 13th 2010. You can look forward to:

Dairyland Crazy Cards tomorrow (March 11th 2010) - Kids can play poker-style scavenger hunt between the Alpine Lodge and the Hawk Chair.

This is a Poker-style scavenger hunt in the Green Zone!  There will be 4 stations to visit.

1) Guest Services

2) The Ozone

3) Bottom of Platter Lift

4) Top of Green Face

You get a card at “registration” at Guest Services at 12pm.  Complete the task at each of the other stations – receiving a playing card at each – and bring them all back to Guest Services at 3pm, where you will perform one last task to get your last card.  Then play your poker hand to win a prize!

Timeline:

11:30 am – tent and table to back of Guest Service Ticket Kiosk

12pm – Scavenger Hunt starts at Guest Services

3pm – meet back at Guest Services with your 4 cards to complete the last task and get your 5 card “poker hand” which you will play for prizing.
 

Old Dutch Mini Olympics on Saturday, March 13th 2010 - You can participate in your very own Winter 2010 Mini-Olympic games  at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

Take part in this Olympic-style obstacle course to bring home the “gold,” and some delicious potato chips from Old Dutch! This one is open to all, Kids and Kids at heart! The obstacle course will be on the Elk run, behind Mtn Tek, from 11am - 3pm.  Come join in the fun!

So, pack your bags and head to Mt. Washington!

Apart from the Olympic Games, there will still be plenty going on in Whistler Blackcomb. Here’s a brief rundown of the events you can attend in Whistler this year.

March 1st – 8th 2010 Winter Pride 2010

March 1-8 are the official dates for GayWhistlers WinterPRIDE celebrating its 18th anniversary. This is going to be one anniversary party you will not want to miss come and experience Whistler just after the Olympics and take in the excitement of being on the world stage.

For more information, check out: Gay Whistler

March 13th – 21th 2010 Winter Paralympic Games

From March 12-21, 2010 Whistler plays host to some very talented and extraordinary athletes at the Paralympic Games. Come cheer on your favorite athlete as they go for Gold. The Paralympics are known to be more intimate than the Olympics and just as exciting!

April 9th – 11th 2010 The Whistler Cup

THE WHISTLER CUP is an international ski event organized by the Whistler Ski Club . Having completed its  17^th year, Whistler Cup has grown to become the largest and most important ski race in North America, and internationally, for athletes aged 11 – 14 years. It is held under the auspice of FIS, the international governing body for alpine skiing. With over 390 young athletes from 20 countries, Whistler Cup brings together children from many different cultures, from around the world.

April 16th-25th 2010: Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival 2010

Related Links:

Whistler City Guide

Top Whistler Pubs

Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival

Drive to Whistler, British Columbia

Springtime in British Columbia is beautiful and we welcome it with open arms. To celebrate Spring in Victoria, British Columbia, Spinnakers Gastrobrewpub and Guesthouse (located on 308 Catherine St., Victoria, BC) invites craft beer lovers to share a day of extraordinary cask conditioned beers in its third Cask Festival, to be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010. 

The guests will be able to sample at least 20 different one-of-a-kind cask-conditioned beers made by brewers from Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Washington and Oregon at this event.

Place: Spinnakers Gastrobrewpub

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010

Time: 11:30am - 5pm

Price: $35/person and  $30 for CAMRA members*
*Get a $5 discount on admission by joining the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) at their website and click on “join”
Ticket price includes souvenir glass and first 3 drink tickets (drink tickets $1 afterwards)

For Ticket info. call: 250- 384-2739

WRA Wildlife Rescue Association of BC is hosting free Earth Fest family nature festival on Sunday, April 25^th 2010 at the Burnaby Lake Pavilion in Burnaby, BC located on 6871 Roberts St, from 11am to 3pm. This is Wildlife Rescue Association of BC’s 2nd annual free, fun-filled nature event where families can come and enjoy without worrying about admission fee. The Earth Festival 2010 will offer unique opportunities to people of all ages to have fun while learning about the local environment.

You can really look forward to: - chickadee and mason bee nest boxes to make and take home - local stewardship booths- snacks and refreshments- invasive plant removal ideas- exciting wildlife-themed games and crafts- community group exhibits - nature tours (with scavenger hunts!) - Mukutano drumming and singing group performers/ live music by local artists- raffle draws and much moreSo, connect with nature during Earth Festival 2010 in Burnaby! For more information, visit: Wild Life Rescue Association Events

Recently the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia awarded five BC Tourism businesses ‘ Authentic Aboriginal’ title and St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino is one of them. The authenticity program recognizes the most culturally authentic, accurate and respectful representations of First Nations peoples and cultures in British Columbia’s tourism industry. The first tourism operators to qualify for the new Cultural Authenticity program are:

1. Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay, Skidegate

2. Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Osoyoos

3. St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino, Cranbrook

4. ’Ksan Historical Village and Museum, Hazelton

5. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler

Certified culturally authentic operators can display the authenticity logo on their marketing materials to help visitors easily identify them. The logo is an eagle feather and human eye motif accompanied by the words “Authentic Aboriginal.” The eagle feather symbolizes the pinnacle of achievement, the eye represents vision towards the future, and together, the logo represents how nature and people come together in the aboriginal tourism industry.

For more information about BC Tourism, visit: BC Travel Guide or learn about our travels at British Coulmbia Tours