July 31, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Recreation Sports
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If you find yourself looking for something to do with a group of people and need an idea, all I have to say is PAINTBALL! It is so much fun! There is a really amazing outdoor course out by the Prince George Airport called Predator Paintball. There are two options for you to choose from once you get out there. There is a contained course where most of the games that take place there are for a capture-the-flag team game with many obstacles scattered throughout the course such as tires, old cars, and barricades which provide you with places to hide behind. The second option is a bush field course which has many forts, buildings, towers and barricades, and not to mention multiple trees scattered around to block and shield you from opponent's paintballs, and to make the shot a little bit more difficult than it already is sometimes. The bush course can get a little muddy and wet if it is raining or has been raining, but then again, that just adds to the fun you will have out there. You can choose to bring your own gear to the course or you can rent theirs for a very reasonable rate. The prices that they have are some of the best I have seen and the fun is endless. I went out there for a friend's bachelor party and we spent the whole day there, leaving with many sores and welts from the paintballs; but each and every one of them were worth it as the day was so much fun. Anyone can play paintball, and since it is such a reasonable rate it makes it easy for you to afford a full day of fun; which is something that not many places can offer.
July 31, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Museums
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Located in downtown Prince Rupert, the Prince Rupert Fire Museum holds an amazing piece of history for Prince Rupert and the area. It is located right next-door to the current fire fall in Prince Rupert and houses some of the extensive history of fire trucks, the fire department, and even sharing part of the museum to hold history of the British Columbia police; which was a predecessor to the current Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The museum's centre-piece is a 1925 fully restored R.E.O. Speedwagon. It was in operation for 25 years from 1924-1950, and in 1985 it was restored and relocated to its current home in this museum. This was the first fire truck to use an electric starter, power lights, and even real inflatable tires! This definitely goes to show how fire trucks have progressed enormously within the last multiple decades! Simply awesome to see how they have changed! The museum is also currently in the process of restoring additional pieces, so that they may add and expand their collection for many more visitors to enjoy. The Fire Museum is a small but very interesting museum that is well worth the visit in Prince Rupert.
July 18, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
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Last month I had the great fortune of visitng Prince Rupert for the annual festival of Seafest! This years festival was very important for more reasons than one, but was incredible in so many ways. This was the first year that I had ever attended Seafest, but from my first visit I would say that I would be intersted in returning again in future years.
This years version of Seafest was also the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard. Because of this, the Coast Guard played a significant role and their half-century anniversary celebrated. From a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, street hockey games, a scavenger hunt in the streets for free vouchers and coupons for local establishments, incredible sea and air races and competitions on the Sunday, an amazing parade to open up the weekend, and tremendous live music all weekend long...just to name a few of the amazing activities that took place over the weekend.
Saturday was an incredible day for weather, and from talking to various locals and others that had been to other Seafest festivals in the past had told me that this weather was a strange but welcome surprise. But then the Sunday came along and it didn't stop raining all day, so that brought back a little regularity for numerous returnees of the festival. I had been to Prince Rupert a couple times before, and on all prior occasions it had always been sunny and nice, so this rain was the surprise and differ from normal for me.
Seafest helped re-engage my love for the ocean and wish that I lived closer sometimes. Prince Rupert plays such a significant role on the west coast and with the 50th anniversay of the coast guard also being celebrated, helped someone like myself see the importance of the coast guard to the massive shipping and fishing industry that operates out of their port. All of the celebrations over the weekend made someone like myself that much more aware that while it was a fun and incredible festival, the people involved in the jobs, which the festival celebrated, and their location on the west coast made the meaning of the festival that much better. I feel from experiencing this festival, that each community should have a festival celebrating the industries that are important and support them, while also bringing friends and family together to have a good time; which is something I feel Seafest did a great job of accomplishing.
The whole weekend was a big celebration for the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Prince Ruperts very important and strategic position it maintains on the Pacific west coast. It was a great weekend, with some really amazing weather, that I am sure to return to again sometime in the near future!