British Columbia Canada Blog

LifeSciences, British Columbia supports and represents the biopharmaceutical, medical device, bioproducts & bioenergy, and greater life sciences community of British Columbia through leadership, advocacy and promotion of our world-class science and industry. This year they are hosting their annual Salmon BBQ on: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (PST) at  Cecil Green Park House located:

6251 Cecil Green Park Road
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia

Held each June at the scenic Cecil Green House, LifeSciences British Columbia’s Annual Salmon Barbeque offers members of  life sciences community the chance to come out and enjoy a great meal in the company of peers in a breathtaking setting - and without the formality of a sit-down banquet. The tickets are priced at $65-$130/person.

For more information, visit: 14th Annual Lifesciences British Columbia Salmon BBQ

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Tomorrow (Jan 2nd, 2010) will be the last day 12th Annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia. The tickets are priced at $8.00/adult and $5.00 for kids and seniors. So, if you haven’t been to Bright Nights with your family and friends yet then do it before it’s over.

More than two million twinkling lights transform the forest, the train and children’s farmyard areas in the middle of the city’s wondrous Stanley Park. Bright Nights is enhanced by entertainment, dozens of delightful animated displays and more - carrying on the tradition that started with the first Christmas Train over thirty years ago!

For more information, check out: Bright Nights in Vancouver

Vancouver never gets boring. There is always something exciting to look forward to. For instance, next week Vancouver is hosting ‘Canadian Country Music Awards 2009.’ Canadian Country music awards are scheduled to be held on Sept 13th 2009 at General Motors Place in downtown Vancouver and will be hosted by Jason Priestley. The awards will be aired live at 8.00 pm on CBC television.

 The Canadian Country Music Association will be in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia from September 10 -13 for four days of networking, artist showcases, workshops and of course for the Canadian Country Music Awards. Various events which will be taking place during the Country Music week include:  The New Artist Showcase, The Gospel Showcase, The Songwriters’ Cafe and my personal favourite the kickoff party. The kickoff party is scheduled for Thursday, Sept 10th at the Vancouver Aquarium where in people can meet other professionals in the music industry and develop business relationships.  Another must see event during Country Music Week is Fanfest which is free and will be held on Saturday, Sept 12th from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm on the 700 block of Granville between Georgia and Robson.

It’s going to be an exciting week of wonderful music in Vancouver during Canadian Country Music Awards 2009. The ticket prices for various events vary from $55 to $125 and can be bought at ticketmaster. Are you ready for the country music week? 

Related Links:

Accommodation in Vancouver

Canadian Country Music Awards

I am usually totally exhausted by Friday evening and looking for some good weekend getaway spots. Like most working class people, I can’t afford to go on luxurious vacations every weekend so I either relax at home or go to some lovely spot within driving distance from my home in the Okanagan. Check out the list of my top 10 getaway spots in British Columbia and take your pick for this weekend:

1. CHILLIWACK LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK: If you live in or around Vancouver area then one of the best spots to getaway for the weekend could be CHILLIWACK LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK which is roughly about two hours drive from Vancouver (about 150 km East). There are a lot of activities that can be enjoyed here like canoeing, kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking etc. Not in the mood to be active, then just rent one of 146 front-country campsites and chill with a beer.  

2. BRIDGE RIVER VALLEY: History of British Columbia’s Gold Rush unfolds itself in BRIDGE RIVER VALLEY.The Bridge River Valley includes Bralorne, Gun Creek, Gun Lake, Tyax Lake, and Marshall Lake - with Gold Bridge being the main settlement. I enjoy visiting quaint little town-Gold Bridge which is surrounded by majestic mountains like Mt. Zola to the west and Mount Truax to the east and exotic Carpenter Lake while driving through Bridge River Valley. Gold Bridge is located about 1.5 hours west of Lillooet. The whole Bridge River Valley area is so self contained and peaceful that it is difficult to not feel tranquility here. The region enjoys a good selection of campgrounds and forestry recreation campsites providing overnight accommodation to visitors. You won’t have difficulty finding your own special back road in Bridge River Valley’s wilderness.

3. MOUNT ROBSON PEAK: Mount Robson peak is the highest peak in Canadian Rockies and is located in British Columbia’s oldest provincial park called MOUNT ROBSON provincial park. This provincial park is known for its exciting outdoor adventures. Did you know that Mount Robson Peak is called the ‘Monarch of the Rockies?’ Majestic Mount Robson Peak will surely fill you with awe and admiration.

4. FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS: Looking for a perfect place for a romantic getaway? Head to Fairmont Hot Springs which is Canada’s largest all-natural hot springs created millions of years ago. The water temperature of the springs range from 102 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit and is controlled by adding colder water from the snow and nearby creeks. I am sure the 10,000 square feet of pools bubbling with natural sweet-smelling mineral water will melt away your stress and you will return to work fully rejuvenated. You can also plan day trips from Fairmont Hot Springs to nearby towns like Panorama, Kimberley and Fernie.

5. DEASE LAKE and drive along STEWART-CASSIAR HIGHWAY (Hwy-37): The Stewart-Cassiar Highway runs nearly 500 kilometers (300 miles) through the vast wilderness of northwestern BC on its way to the Yukon. The drive through this highway is rough but scenic and you come across two renowned wilderness parks i.e. Mount Edziza and Spatsizi Plateau. Dease Lake is located west of the Stewart-Cassiar Highway at the junction to Telegraph Creek. It is a supply centre for the northwest region of British Columbia and a departure point for hiking and camping in the surrounding wilderness.

6. NAKIMU CAVES in GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: A limited access is available for visitors to these glorious limestone caves known as valley of hazards. The Nakimu caves lie between upper and lower Cougar Valley in the Selkirk Mountains, just west of Rogers Pass on the Trans-Canada Highway. Interested in visiting? Be prepared for a three to four hike to get to the entrance of the caves. I know it quite a hike but its totally worth it. For more detailed information, check out: Parks Canada

7. FORT STEELE: Just want to have a lazy weekend then consider rummaging through historical town of FORT STEELE which is located near Cranbrook on Highway 93/95 in the Eastern part of Kootenays. You can enoy daily re-enactments of the town’s past history and heritage year- round with special programming from mid-June to Labour Day.

8. WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER: If you are planning a weekend getaway to celebrate your anniversary of someone specials’ birthday then try WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER for a unique experience.

9. KETTLE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL: Why not go for a ride on KETTLE VALLEY TRAIL which is a 455 km long trail part of recreational trails collectively called the Spirit of 2010 Trail. You can start cycling from any of the following towns: Tulameen, Coalmont, Princeton, Summerland, Penticton, Naramata, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls or Osoyoos. Even if you are not in the mood for cycling these small little towns are quite picturesque and offer plenty of other activities to keep tourists  and locals entertained. For instance, my favourite is riding a scooter through Penticton and having a delicious lunch at Salties restaurant which is a cool waterfront joint. Get a spot on the patio to have the best meal experience.

10. OTHELLO TUNNELS: OTHELLO TUNNELS are located just off the Coquilla highway about 10 kms east of Hope. A short walk from the parking lot,through high canyon walls and above rushing water watres is a series of four tunnels and linking footpaths that make up the Othello Tunnels.

Have you found your favourite holiday spot in British Columbia? Why not, share it with our readers. You can win our next BC weekend getaway lucky draw.

Have you heard the latest news about Vancouver 2010? Well, you can experience the magic of Vancouver 2010 during the games. During the 2010 Vancover Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, taking place in February and March 2010, common people like you and me will be able to ski too. It has been announced that 90% of Whistler Blackcomb Terrain will be open for public skating and riding. Now isn’t that some news.

So, if you haven’t booked your accommodation yet for Vancouver 2010 then do it now. Check out some useful links below:

Bed and Breakfast Vancouver coast

 Hotels Vancouver

Resorts and Lodges Vancouver coast

The majority of people around the world have been talking about the vibrant city of Vancouver, the host for Vancouver 2010 Winter Olymoics paying a little less attention to the other venue cities like Richmond, Whistler and Cypress Mountain. 

Many other BC cities neighboring Vancouver like Squamish, Pemberton, Surrey, Delta, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby and Port Moody etc have also been preparing for Vancouver 2010 Winter olympics in their own special way. Learn more about these towns below:

Richmond: The city of Richmond is located only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and is a thriving multi cultural community which has developed rapidly over the last few years and this growth will continue until Vancouver 2010.

Whistler Mountain Resort: This friendly ski- resort is located about 115 kms from Vancouver in the coastal mountains of BC. It has about 8000 acres of skiable terrain making it an excellent choic for Vancouver 2010 winter olympics.

Squamish: This lovely little town is often called ‘The outdoor recreation capital of Canada’ is known for sports like windsurfing, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Surrey: The city of Surrey is about 40 minutes from Vancouver and the second largest city in British Columbia.

Port Coquitlam: The city of the Coquitlam has more than more than 68 parks and trails to offer visitors.There are plenty of bike paths, sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds etc here. 

Duncan: Duncan is popularly known as the city of totems and is located in the heart of Cowichan region. There are about 80 totem poles erected throughout the city which lend it a unique historic charm.

West Vancouver: If you want to enjoy sandy beaches, seaside walks, hiking trails, marinas and hiking trails then visit the waterfront community of West Vancouver which stretches about 89 kilometers.

Get ready to celebrate 6th annual Edgewater Casino Celtic Fest in Vancouver starting tomorrow, Wednesday - March 11th and running until March 15th 2009. This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors and Vancouver residents to enjoy music by top international and Canadian Celtic recording artists.

Celtic Festival will also feature Irish dance troupes, a literary pub crawl, tribute play to Robbie Burns, Scotch-tasting event, St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15th and much more. All in all there will be about 60 events scheduled at 10 popular venues and two outdoor stages around Vancouver, with headliners like Ashley MacIssac and The Paperboys.

Most of the events will be hosted by our favourite comedian Maureen Langan. Enjoy the full scoop on this festival at: Celtic Festival Vancouver

Image courtesy of CelticFest

 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

Wondering which attractions to check out while visiting Vancouver? Review the list below and take your pick.

1. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden : Let your heart and mind relax at Chinese Garden. Chinese Garden are breathtakingly beautiful and take you back in time to 15th century China.

2. Vancouver Maritime Museum: Maritime museum helps you understand rich maritime history and traditions of the pacific coast in its own adventurous way. You can easily step back in time to 1944 on board Canada’s famous RCMP St Roch and explore the many permanent and changing exhibits, boats in heritage harbour and enjoy other family activities. 

3. Vancouver Flea Market: Shoppers don’t forget to visit Vancouver Flea market to get the best bargains. This 25 year old market has something to offer everyone.

4. Vancouver Museum: Your trip to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without visiting Vancouver Museum popularly known as Centennial museum. There is much to explore here ranging from Vancouver’s history to the world heritage collections.

5. BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum: Sports enthusiasts love BC sports hall of fame and museum which is Canada’s most dynamic sports museum and showcases BC’s best athletes and sport legends.

6. Vancouver Aquarium: Did you know Vancouver’s aquarium is the largest in Canada and for visitors convenience it is open 365 days a year. You can not only enjoy beautiful sea life here but also get close and personal with animals by going on Animal encounters.

For a quick tour of Vancouver city, get on a hop on-hop off bus and get the feel of the city at your own pace.

 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