British Columbia Canada Blog

Imagine beautiful setting of Harrison Hot Springs and then lively Arts Festival to add charm to your stay.The Harrison Festival Society will celebrate the 31st annual Harrison
Festival of the Arts this summer from July 11 to 19th 2009. The Harrison Festival is a popular summer festival with international reputation.
 
In a setting free of large crowds, line-ups, and high ticket prices, the festival presents
music from all corners of the globe, a large outdoor art and craft market featuring the work of a wide variety of artisans, workshops, a special day of children (of all ages) and much more. This year’s music will include the best in traditional Quebecois with Yves Lambert, the Louisiana Cajun of the Redstick Ramblers, traditional Hawaiian with Hapa, bluesman Eric Bibb and much more.

For more information, call: Ed Stenson at 604-796-3664
For more information, www.harrisonfestival.com

Plan your visit to Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia by visit: BC Travel Guide

Related Links:

BC Hot Springs

Yes, you read it right! Hollywood Celebrities will visit British Columbia this weekend from June 12-14th 2009. Why not rub shoulders with them? You are most welcome to visit Osoyoos, BC for the first annual Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival. Destination Osoyoos, in tandem with presenting sponsor Black Hills Estate Winery and the business community of Osoyoos are presenting the first annual Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival from June 12 to 14, 2009. 
 
At this wine festival, the guests will experience excellent food and wine pairing events from regional Chefs and Winemakers. Believe me, Okanagan Wineries has a lot to offer. A number of stars will attend this 2009 Summer Festival like Jason Priestley (Beverley Hills 9020, Hollywood & Vines), Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, National Treasure), Dean Cain (Superman), Tiffani Amber Thiesen (Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills 90201), Jann Arden (singer), and Terry David Mulligan (The Tasting Room).

The keynote event is the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Auction, with proceeds benefiting children’s charities. Participants can sip wines from an array of South Okanagan wineries and nibble on delicious appetizers from local restaurants in the “20 km Diet”. Then they can bid on rare wine from great Canadian wineries in both the Silent and Live Auctions. All proceeds go to the 2009 beneficiary which is the Providence Children’s Center.

The Canadian Tenors will be the headlining act for the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Auction, which will be taking place at the Walnut Beach Resort from 4 pm to 7 pm.

In addition to the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Auction, three other great events are happening during the festival:

1) The Nota Bene Release Party
Featuring host Jason Priestley, Celebrity Chef Ned Bell, and winemaker Graham Pierce. Celebrate the release of the latest wines from Black Hills Estate Winery while tasting the cuisine of Ned Bell and listening to the music of DJ Jenn Goulet and the live tunes of Double Magnum.

Saturday June 13, 3:00-7:00 pm, Black Hills Estate Winery. Tickets are $149.00 each.

2) Burrowing Owl Winemakers Dinner
Featuring Chef Bernard Cassavantes and the exceptional wines of Burrowing Owl

Friday June 12, 7:30-10:30 pm, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Tickets are $125.00 each.

3) Desert Spirit BBQ: The official after-party!
Featuring Chef Jonathan Thauberger and wines from the South Okanagan. Enjoy a casual BBQ and opportunity to socialize in an upbeat setting.

Friday, June 12, 7-11 pm, Spirit Ridge Resort. Tickets are $49.00 each.

Tickets for all events are available for online purchase at www.ticketweb.c (website below) or visit www.blackhillswinery.com.

For accommodations contact the Walnut Beach Resort at www.walnutbeachosoyoos.com, or call 1-877-936-5400

For general information on Osoyoos, call Destination Osoyoos at 1-888-676-9667

Related links:

Okanagan Wineries

Attention Jazz lovers! The hottest summer festival of Victoria, British Columbia - The Jazz Festival is just around the corner. Enjoy ten sizzling days and nights of cool Jazz during Victoria JazzFest scheduled from  June 26th to July 5th 2009. Victoria Jazz Festival is one of the premiere Jazz festivals of summer and highlights of 2009 include Michael Kaeshammer,  the David Sanborn Group, Al Di Meola and many others.the David rn Group, Al Di Meola and many others talented Jazz artists. You can buy ticket packages through Victoria Jazz Society by calling 250-388-4423.

The Ticketed Venues/ Cover Charge Venues during Victoria Jazz Fest include: ROYAL THEATRE, ALIX GOOLDEN PERFORMANCE HALL, VICTORIA EVENT CENTRE, OPEN SPACE, CENTENNIAL SQUARE, ELEMENT NIGHTCLUB, VISTA 18, FIRE and WATER LOUNGE, THE PACIFIC RESTAURANT and HERMANN’S JAZZ CLUB.

For accommodation during the festival, check out:

Victoria Bed and Breakfast

Victoria Resorts and Lodges

Wondering about Best BC Wines? Well, Okanagan’s 2009 Spring Wine Festival has just concluded and the competition for the Best Wine was really tough. However, the wine Connoisseurs did manage to spot Best BC wines. Five BC wines which have won Gold medal are:

Related Links:

Kelowna Wineries
Oliver Wineries

Burnaby is getting ready for an exciting event set to be held on June 6th 2009. I am talking about Annual Hats Off Day being organized by Heights Merchant Association in Burnaby. Over the years Hats Off Day has become Burnaby’s most celebrated event – and it’s happening this year on Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can join the Heights merchants and Burnaby’s community for a party on the Heights with a colourful parade and street festival featuring food, prizes, music and a lot of fun for all ages.

This year’s highlights include:

• Il Girolino di Burnaby – a “Dash and Pedal” race for kids five to twelve years old;
• The Show & Shine – classic and custom cars will be on display in a new location – on Hastings Street between Ingleton and Esmond Avenues;
• The Chevron Express – a train for all ages that will run along Hastings and take you from one exciting stop to another;
• The Edge Climbing Wall – 24 feet of climbing adventure;
• Bouncy castles, face painters, games and lots of kids activities;
• Many bands as well as community and cultural groups; and
• Hundreds of merchants featuring treats, giveaways, special promotions and demonstrations.

For more information about Hats Off Day, check out: http://www.hatsoffday.com or contact Kitty Au, Event co-ordinator by calling 604-294-8899

There is always something exciting happening in Victoria. This month, Victoria residents are being charmed by Victoria’s Belfry Theatre  which is presenting its annual Spark Festival from March 9 to 22nd 2009 giving audiences the opportunity to take in an array of modern, Canadian productions.

This year, the festival has been compressed into two exciting weeks, adding a mini-festival of ten-minute plays, a play reading series, and workshops with some of Canada’s most innovative artists. The single tickets are priced from $23 - $38 per person and students receive a 25% -50 % discount on the posted prices. So, buy your tickets now and watch some interesting performances. If you are planning to stay in Victoria then don’t forget to check our Victoria Lodging.

For more information, visit: The Belfry Theatre

 A lot of tourists visit BC for its cultural heritage and are keen to know about Aboriginals and their way of life. Hence, gaining popularity of aboriginal tourism in British Columbia. On March 19th 2009, Aboriginal Tourism BC awards will be awarded in Richmond, BC to recognize and honour the work of a few committed individuals in this Tourism industry. The awards will be presented in the following categories:

- Inspirational Leadership Award
- Coast Hotels and Resorts Ambassador Award
- Young Adult Achievement Award
- Power of Education Award
- Cultural Authenticity Award
- Strength in Marketing Award
- Tourism Conservation Award
- Excellence in Customer Service Award
- Industry Partner Award
- Media Award ~ new category!

The award ceremony consists of:

6:00 PM Reception and Culinary Taste Tour
7:00 PM Awards Show in the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond, British Columbia

You can purchase tickets for this gala event for the following prices:

Individual Tickets: $95 + GST per person
Group Tickets: $85 + GST per person for groups of 8 or more.

 For more information, check out: 2009 Aboriginal Tourism BC Awards

 Guess what everyone in Vancouver is talking about? Nothing but Canada’s premier music awards i.e. 2009 Juno Awards which are going to be hosted in the city from March 26th- 29th by our favourite comedian Russell Peters at GM Place. The Vancouver Host Committee has got the city buzzing with excitement as they have some very special plans for this event. Vancouver is gearing up to greet tourists in a most warm and enthusiastic manner along and to showcase their local talent and vibrant music community.

It’s an opportunity for music fans to enjoy Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock, Pop, Urban, Classical and Fusion all under one grand event. I am excited about autograph sessions with musicians, a street party, a charity hockey game, and dozens of other concerts by prominent musicians. Tell me, which music lover wouldn’t want to catch performances by  Sarah McLachlan, Nickelback or Simple Plan?The Music at 2009 Juno Awards will be by: Music from Sea to Sky. So, mark your calendars and get ready join in the celebrations.

For more details, check out: Juno Awards 2009

 There are tons of events that are organized in BC every year. Many of them attract tourists from all over the world to this beautiful region of British Columbia.

• My all time favourite BC event is Okanagan Wine Festivals. They are held four times a year. We have Spring Wine Festival (first 10 days in May each year), Summer Wine Festival (held during second weekend of August at Silver Star Mountain resort in Vernon), Fall Wine (it is held in the Okanagan Valley during Autumn season) and Ice Wine Festival Resort (held in January at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops.) A Visit to one of these festivals  is a must for Wine Connoiseurs.  
•  Kelowna’s Wakefest is a popular event among young people in North America. Although it was banned in 2008, it looks like it will be returning to Kelowna in 2009 after organizers of Wakefest agreed to a series of conditions set out by Kelowna’s Outdoor Events Committee. If you love wake boarding then do participate in this sporting event.
• Merritt Mountain music festival is considered to be Western Canada’s number one country music festival. The 17th annual Merritt Mounatin music festival will be held July 9-12th 2009. Some of North America’s top country singers and artists showcase their talent and charm the audience at this annual mountain music festival.
• Vancouver Folk Music Festival is held at Jericho Beach park every year and is scheduled for July 17-19, 2009. This will be the 32nd year for this folk festival and the tickets are already on sale. Buy them in advance to avoid disappointment later.
• Pemberton Music Festival attracts music lovers from all across the nation to this small little town in July. Pemberton is a farming village in the shadow of Mount Currie and very near to the world-famous Whistler resort. Last year, over 120 artists performed over 4 days, across 4 stages, and headline acts included Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Coldplay, Jay-Z, The Tragically Hip, The Flaming Lips, Interpol, and Black Mountain. There were about 40,000 fans at this event. Unfortunately, 2009’s Pemberton Music Festival has been cancelled.
• Bulkley Valley Exhibition will be held for the 90th year from August 27 to 30, 2009 in Smithers, British Columbia. This non-profit, four-day fair held in late August and preceded by a festive parade includes livestock, horse and dog shows, rides at the Midway fairground and saddle bronc, steer wrestling, and the wild cow milking contests.
• Wild at Art festival being held this year from March 6th-15th 2009 in Callaghan Valley, Squamish and Britannia beach includes music, dance, theatre and culinary arts.
• If you are visiting Vancouver during May 22nd-May 24th 2009 then do check out Eat Vancouver food and cooking festival which is being held for the 7th year this season. EAT! Vancouver is Canada’s largest consumer food, beverage and cooking festival taking place at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC on May 22, 23 & 24, 2009. This food show will feature hundreds of food, beverage and kitchen goods exhibitors along with wineries, breweries, restaurants, cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese seminars, cookbook authors, and chef competitions. You will be able to spot several chefs from Food Network at celebrity cooking stage. 

You will also get to watch the excitement of heated competitions at the ‘Iron Chef’ style Citytv’s Master Chef Competition, there will be wellness Pavilion where exhibitors will be featuring products specifically tailored to enhance your health and well being, food and nutrition for a healthy balanced life style, the chefs of favourite Lower Mainland restaurants will  be serving appetizer portions of their signature recipes for a nominal charge ($1 - $4) per item, Beer, wine and spirits will be well represented in the Tasting Pavilion where you can sip and taste hundreds of different beverages and of course you can shop too as there will be about 250 booths setup to cater to your taste buds.Show hours for 2009  Eat Vancouver event are:  Friday, 4 to 9 pm ; Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm ; and Sunday, 11 am to 5pm and admission costs are: $15.00 adult, $6 for children 7-14, 6 and under-free, Seniors (65+) $12

The other local events that might interest you include:

• 15th annual BC wine and Oyster festival scheduled this year for Friday, June 19th 2009 (5.00 pm to 7.00 pm) is being presented by the Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina and its’ famous Blue Crab Bar & Grill in support of Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation. During this festival, you will get to savor juicy oysters on the half shell, or barbequed with a selection of delectable sauces prepared by the Blue Crab culinary team and if oysters aren’t your thing, there will be other tasty seafood treats along with a selection of bread, cheese and deli meats. For more information, visit: Greater Victoria Eldercare foundation.
• The Brant Wildlife Festival runs this year from March 6 to April 26 in Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The events at this festival include: Wildlife viewing, marsh walks, nature photography, Big Day Birding, eagle release, Voices of Nature concert and much more. For more information on the events, call the festival office at 250-586-1311.
• Oh and don’t forget that BC is home to Winter Olympics in 2010 so be ready to catch the action right here on BC tours under Vancouver 2010 series

Although Christmas is over, there are plenty of other festivals and events to be celebrated this winter in British Columbia. If you are planning to visit the Okanagan region in the near future then don’t forget to attend ‘ Vernon Winter Carnival’ scheduled from February 6th until February 15th 2009.

This year’s theme is “Dancing with Carnival “ which will be a spectacular 10 days of fun & exciting events all over Vernon and Silver Star. You can take part in or simply enjoy the snow and ice sculptures, parades and all kinds of fun events.

For further details, check out Vernon Winter Carnival. In order to purchase tickets over the phone, call: 250-545-2236