July 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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This weekend my friend and I took her two year old daughter to the circus. Jordan World Circus is traveling around Northern British Columbia and Northern Alberta. There were many terrific performances and some unbelievable stunts. For animals they had poodles, bears, and elephants. They also had moterbikes, a bounce slide, pictures with the bears and poodles, rides on the elephants, and stunt performers. The stunts performed were amazing and displayed unique talents. Our favorite part was the elephants and we really enjoyed ourselves.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Last week the Dawson Creek Visitor Center hosted their 2nd Annual Kids Festival out front of their building on the lawn. A four year old little girl that I know participated in the afternoon events. Even with a cast on her leg she was able to do most of the activities and have a blast. She got to decorate moose shaped cookies with brown or white icing. Then she hobbled over to the WOW bus and got a tour. After the tour she went and watched some local fiddlers playing music in the shade. Nearby she was also entertained by circus performers on stilts. Unfortunately she couldn’t participate but other children were walking around on the tall wobble sticks with the aid of a performer. There was also a tunnel, holla-hoops, and toys to play with. However, the coloring contest and prizes was the biggest hit of the afternoon. The pictures were of moose or deer; those that colored a picture and handed them in to the Visitor Center staff got prizes! During all of this fun she found time to go into the museum and listen to the story telling. A local lady with the Historical Society dropped in and read a story, and she also brought popcorn! Then it was back out side to get in line for the face painting. A lady from the Art Gallery, next door, came over and did some phenomenal art work on the childrens’ faces.
July 20, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
It was sudsy and bubbly in Dawson Creek on Friday, July 17th! The Dawson Creek Vet Clinic was hosting a “Doggy Wash Day” with proceeds going to the Dawson Creek branch SPCA, so being a dog lover, I had to attend. The wash featured a BBQ (and of course a bowl of hot dog chunks for hungry puppies), clinic tours and games in addition to the pools of bathwater to clean local pooches. Dogs of all shapes and sizes were in attendance, and knowing my dollars were going to a cause like the SPCA, how could I not go scope it out?
July 19, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
Last night I went to a screening of "A Place Called Chiapas" at the Mattson Farm in Rolla, BC. It was fantastic! The movie was about the 1994 revolution in southern Mexico, a very interesting subject to start with, but then the location was also great! The film was screened in the rural town of Rolla, in the loft of a barn. We sat on hay bales and ate complimentary popcorn and pop. The drive out to Rolla is beautiful to start with, and the farm there is extremely well taken care of, quaint, and quiet. Right after the movie they had a draw, which I happened to get the lucky ticket and won a gorgeous locally handmade necklace! After that they had a fire and you were welcome to stay and chat.
This event was a really great opportunity to get informed, relax, and experience some real small town hospitality!
They are planning on having some more screenings later in the summer. At the next one they are playing another movie by the same director, Nettie Wild, called "FIX: The Story of an Addicted City". I will be there.
July 19, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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I come from a family of cars. Where my cousin's '65 mustang convertible is considered just as much a relative as its owner. So the annual Mile '0' Cruisers Summer Cruise is like a big family reunion. The annual auto enthusiast event fills the city of Dawson Creek with vintage cars for a weekend, culminating in a downtown Show & Shine on the Sunday. And this was a year to remember for the Mile '0' Cruisers. The weekend of July 11-12 was marked with decidedly beautiful weather, which helped draw 200 classic rides to line the downtown core.
The Summer Cruise is the largest car show north of Edmonton, and about 70% of the participants come from out of town, with some cars (and their drivers) hailing from as far as Vanderhoof, B.C. The rides themselves ranged from the usual car show fare (mustangs, corvettes, bel-airs) to the unusual (vintage transport trucks, motorbikes, and some things I don't even have a name for). Of course, every car-driver relationship has a story, and the drivers are always more than willing to share. One particularly interesting ride this year was a 1954 Meteor Niagara (pictured above). The car's driver purchased it as his first car in the early 60's, and it was his mode of transportation as he dated his future wife. After a few years, however, the car was parked. This lasted until just this last winter, when it was completely restored. Now, less than 6 months removed from its big makeover, the car managed to place in the top ten rides of the weekend.
The downtown show and shine took place from 8:30-2:30 and along with the cars featured many activities for youngsters, several food stations, local event tents, and some raffles. The day wrapped up with the presentation of the people's choice top ten, as well as the sponsor's favorites around the Mile 0 post.
Visit the summer cruise website for a complete gallery, as well as information.
July 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Though I had never heard of them, I decided to go see Miss Quincy and the Ramblers at the Granaries on Bear Mountain. The tickets were only $10, there was a barbeque by donation, and all the proceeds were going towards the new Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre (a centre I have been using for at least a decade). I was extremely surprised with not only the band, but the location.
You see, the Granaries are not at all what I had imagined. They are so much nicer than anything I could have ever come up with in my own head. Very secluded, unbelievably well-cared for, and incredibly luxurious, I couldn’t help but think of how amazing it would be to have a romantic weekend for two there...
But let me get back to the concert.
Miss Quincy and the Ramblers were fantastic! As per usual, it took a little while before us shy Dawson Creek locals got onto the dance floor, but once we did, there was no leaving. By the end of the fantastic, toe tapping, 1 hour set, preceded by another local folk group, the Sweetwater Ramblers, everyone was on the dance floor, stomping and shouting. I have never had so much fun in such a beautifully forested and maintained location. It was simply divine. Can’t wait until Groovin’ at the Granaries 3!
July 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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On July 1st the Tourism Dawson Creek staff celebrated Canada’s Birthday by making our way to Pouce Coupe to attend the Annual Canada Day Parade. The Dawson Creek Visitor Centre and the Dawson Creek Art Gallery spent weeks painting and decorating an Olympic themed float to celebrate the 2010 Olympic Games coming to Vancouver, BC. On the float were skiers, snowboarders, and hockey players which landed us a third place ribbon. After the parade ended there were many festivities taking place in Pouce Coupe Park which included games, entertainment for all ages, BBQ and fireworks that evening. The staff was unable to attend because we all had to return to work. We didn’t let missing the festivities get in the way of celebrating Canada Day. The Visitor Centre had BBQ hotdogs, cupcakes, Canada trivia, and gave out pins, and tattoos. Then on July 4th we celebrated Independence Day with our American Tourists with cake, hotdogs and trivia. Fun was had by all.
July 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Cars! Cars! Cars!
Today was day 2 of my excellent adventure visiting friendly and scenic Dawson Creek B.C.
It also happened to be the big show day for the Mile Zero Summer Car Cruise Shine and Show Event where a huge variety of cars are all spiffied, polished and showing off all up and down all along the streets in Dawson Creek's charming downtown core.
I sipped coffee and admired the yellow beauty of the expanse of Canola fields in sight from my hotel at the Super 8 on Alaska Way before strolling my way over to check out the action downtown.
The Summer Cruise Event is really an annual event in July not to be missed, even for the somewhat reluctant car enthusiast such as myself! I amazed myself by spending about 4 hours perusing up and down the quaint streets snapping pictures of cars, engines, soaking up the atmosphere and chatting with the friendly folks, many of whom were folks whom I'd met the previous day around town. There were folks of all ages ranging from stroller age right up to those who may have been strolling down memory lane. There were folks dressed from conservatively to the not-so-much conservative crowd. What great blending of people and such a fun atmosphere all happening right under the absolutely stunning hanging baskets and nifty metal cut outs which feature local images which are attached to the light posts that line the streets.
What a gem the show was - the smell of barbecue fare as well as great music wafting through the air and the people filled sunny streets lined with astounding and fascinating examples of the hard work and just plain pure love that has been poured in to these vehicles.
Once again, an event not to be missed. Maybe you'll get a chance one day to come and experience the super town and if you plan it right, take in this annual event.
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
The wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of anyone in Pouce Coupe last week for their annual Canada Day celebration.
Hundreds of people streamed from the village’s Canada Day parade (complete with classic cars, dressed-up pooches and resplendently-dressed horses) to Pouce Park for games, musical entertainment, and the biggest BBQ in the Peace region.
There was plenty to do and see; including a train taking children on rides around the park, a large inflatable jungle gym, vendors selling jewelry and giving away flags, stickers and washable tattoos, and a face-painting booth. Music featured local artists and a variety of songs, and when the weather did take a turn for the worst, some chose to brave it and huddle under tents while some opted for cover in their vehicles. The rain finally passed, the sun prevailed, and so did the fun!