Welcome
to the spring edition of Travel Talk, Vancouver, Coast & Mountain’s
quarterly newsletter for the Travel Industry.
One of the best things
about visiting any part of Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Region is the spirit of our communities. In this issue, we
feature these one-of-a-kind
events and festivals
that are spread out across our part of British Columbia.
Our region is diverse
area with a whole array of year-round festival & events to provide your clients with a taste of
local colour and flair. Whether it’s food, sandcastles
or music you’ll find a unique local event or festival to
build a package around. Each events or festival highlighted occurs
yearly and typically around the same dates, so mark your calendars
and we’ll see you at the next celebration!
Jason
Jason Knibbs
Sales Manager-Tour & Travel
Jason@vcmbc.com
Contents
Greater Vancouver - Festivals & Events
Sea to Sky Country (Hwy 99) Festivals & Events
Mighty Fraser Country (including the Fraser Canyon)
Festivals & Events
Sunshine Coast Festivals & Events
VCM New Experiences
Greater
Vancouver
Bard
on the Beach - May 31- Sept 23, 2007
Now in its 18th season, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada's
largest professional Shakespeare Festivals. Presented in a
magnificent setting on the waterfront in Vancouver's Vanier
Park, the Festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas,
and several special events in two performance tents from June
through September. Every Shakespeare production is staged in
open-ended tents against a magnificent backdrop of mountains,
sea and sky. Vanier Park is minutes from the downtown core.
2007 schedule: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, ROMEO AND JULIET, JULIUS
CAESAR, and TIMON OF ATHENS.
info@bardonthebeach.org
www.bardonthebeach.org
Caribbean Days Festival -
July 28-29, 2007
North
Vancouver, BC
A Caribbean celebration in Vancouver? Sounds unlikely
but it’s
true. Each July, the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of
BC presents the Caribbean Days Festival – one of the most
enjoyable events you’ll find in BC. This event draws a
crowd of exuberant fun-lovers to North Vancouver's Waterfront
Park for a weekend of parading, dining and dancing in the sunshine.
This is a weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture
as only the Caribbean can offer. Over the years, the Festival
has grown into the largest Caribbean event on the local calendar
-- and with tens of thousands of attendees, possibly the largest
cultural event of its type in BC.
info@caribbeandaysfestival.com
www.caribbeandaysfestival.com
Tour de White Rock Bicycle Race -
July 13-15, 2007
White
Rock, BC
From humble beginnings in 1980 when White Rock saw its
first bicycle race with 35 participants and 20 volunteers, to
an international
race attracting over 150 high caliber cyclists from across Canada,
the United States, and Europe, the Tour de White Rock has become
a hot spot event for pro cycling teams, fans and the media. The
Tour de White Rock is recognized internationally for its tradition
of superb organization and race routes that raise the bar for
endurance and tactics. The Tour de White Rock is open to both
male and female cyclists, competing for over $10,000 in cash
prizes.
tourdewr@city.whiterock.bc.ca
www.city.whiterock.bc.ca
Festival Vancouver - Aug
5 - 19, 2007
Top classical, jazz and world musicians perform in over 50
concerts every August at this eclectic international summer
music festival
in Vancouver. 2007 headliners include vocal wizard Bobby
McFerrin, superb soprano Measha Brueggergosman and tenor Richard
Margison,
Grammy Award-winning L.A. Guitar Quartet, the Hong Kong Chinese
Orchestra (traditional Chinese instruments) and more! Main
Stage tickets on sale April 21 through Ticketmaster (604-280-331).
Full festival details and tickets will be available June
1.
heather@festivalvancouver.ca
www.festivalvancouver.ca
West Coast Chocolate Festival - Oct 14-28,
2007
Coquitlam, Port Moody & Port Coquitlam, BC
“For the senses and the
soul”,
The Tri-Cities have created the most delicious event in the
region. No ordinary chocolate
event, this festival inspires, informs, surprises, entertains,
and above all celebrates chocolate. Events can be savoured individually,
or experienced successively for the ultimate chocolate experience.....the
indulgent little escape we all need once in awhile. Enjoy expert-led
pairing events, winemaker's dinner, chocolate factory tours,
chocolates of origin sampling, and custom events available.
info@chocolatefestival.ca
www.chocolatefestival.ca
Carol Ships Parade of Lights -
Dec 1 – 23rd,
2007
Carol Ships 'Parade of Lights' Society began over 44 years
ago with one boat decorated with Christmas lights in Coal Harbour
off the Bayshore Inn (now the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina).
On peak evenings, this holiday tradition has grown to more
than 80 decorated boats, with in excess of 150,000 lights,
and carries over 45,000 people during the 23 night festival.
Dinner Cruises available from a variety of participating vessels.
info@carolships.org
www.carolships.org
Sea
to Sky Country - Click here
for a map
Squamish
Days Loggers Sports - Aug 2 – 5, 2007
The Squamish Days Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary! This four-day
community festival celebrates Squamish’s rich history and community spirit – with
events for the whole family. Check out the music, dancing, children’s events,
parade, 10km run, pancake breakfast, wacky bed races, and the premier Loggers
Sports Show in North America. Just 30 minutes north of Vancouver along the world
famous Sea to Sky Highway.
celebrate@squamishdays.org
www.squamishdays.org
Copper & Fire – Aug
12, 2007
BC
Museum of Mining, Britannia Beach, BC
Travel up the Sea to Sky highway to the BC
Museum of Mining. Each August the Museum showcases our Dynamic
Earth's Treasures.
Come and enjoy the 5th Annual signature event! Raku/Copper potter
demo show,kids play area,Yukon Dan a Gold Panning Champion, rockhounders,
live band and entertainers, refreshment garden and more!
general@bcmuseumofmining.org
www.bcmuseumofmining.org
Mighty Fraser Country
Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair - May
18-21, 2007
Cloverdale,
BC
The Cloverdale Rodeo is one of the most popular on the professional
rodeo tour,
attracting top male and female contestants from across North
America, who compete for over $200,000 in prize money. The excitement
and thrills of the rodeo are undeniable, and no other venue gets
you closer to the action than the Stetson Bowl on the Cloverdale
Fairgrounds. The action-packed weekend features other great family
events such as horticulture and livestock displays, BC’s
largest portable midway, and dozens of other great family attractions
that are free with admission to the Country Fairgrounds.
info@cloverdalerodeo.com
www.cloverdalerodeo.com
Mission Folk Music Festival-
July 21-23, 2007
Mission, BC
Located in the midst of the beautiful Fraser Valley, overlooking the majestic
(and muddy) Fraser River, the Mission Folk Music Festival offers great music
from all over the world in the intimate, pastoral setting of Fraser River Heritage
Park. Three evenings of showcase main stage concerts (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
and three daytime stages run concurrently Saturday and Sunday. Other on-site
features include the Folk Art & Import Market, the festival CD Tent, a Festival
Store (for festival souvenirs), a variety of food vendors and a shaded licensed
area with a main stage view.
missionfestival@shaw.ca
www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca
Abbotsford International Air Show - Aug
10-12, 2007
The leading airshow in North America attracting the world's top
aeronautical performances - from heritage to spectacular air
demonstration squadrons, dramatic aerobatics teams to daring
soloist and skydivers. Incredible static displays!
info@abbotsfordairshow.com
www.abbotsfordairshow.com
HARRISAND – World Championships
of Sand Sculpture
Harrison Hot Springs, BC
Competition: Sep 4-9, 2007
Exhibition: until Oct 8, 2007
Individual and team carvers from around the world transform the
shores of Harrison Lake into a magical land of sand sculptures!
The sculptures stay on display for about 3 weeks, creating a
unique outdoor gallery.
info@harrisand.org
www.harrisand.org
Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Festival
of the Written Arts - Aug 9-12, 2007
Sechelt
Join Canada's longest running summer gathering of Canadian
writers and readers, featuring established literary stars
and exciting,
new voices... with opportunities for writers and readers to
mingle amidst the Rockwood Centre’s heritage gardens. Afua Cooper,
Noah Richler and Michael Poole added to this year’s list
of writers in attendance.
info@writersfestival.ca
www.writersfestival.ca
Pender Harbour Jazz Festival - Sep
14-16, 2007
Scenic Pender Harbour on the Sunshine Coast is the setting for
a marvelous weekend of jazz and relaxation. A beautiful two
hour scenic drive / ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. There are
outdoor and indoor venues, along with free and ticketed shows.
Possibly the most intimate and scenic Jazz Festival on the
continent.
info@phjazz.ca
www.phjazz.ca
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains New Experiences
Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre
Opening in 2008, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre will
house a wide array of permanent and temporary exhibits, as well
as live demonstrations, performances, tours and training programs.
The Great Hall, which will house the bulk of the facility’s
exhibits, includes a collection of classic Salish canoes, weavings
and monumental spindle whorls, many of which will be suspended
from the ceiling.
Contact:
Deanna Bell
sales@slcc.ca
www.slcc.ca
Discovery Self Drive Tours
Discovery Self Drive Tours is dedicated to providing travellers
with an informative, educational and entertaining audio CD
tour that includes the most comprehensive knowledge of the
region. Audio CD includes a free full colour map to help navigate
your Journey.
Contact:
Larry Ryan
larry@discoveryselfdrivetours.com
www.discoveryselfdrivetours.com
Little Farmhouse Country Market and Tea Room
Located in downtown Abbotsford, Little Farmhouse in the City
is a restored 1927 heritage building that has been converted
into a country style market, deli counter, upscale home-style
restaurant, and a bed & breakfast. Come visit the charming
tearoom or relax on the airy patio and try some homemade cooking
and baking or run with one of their celebrated picnic baskets
to a romantic location.
Contact:
Allanna St. Remy
info@littlefarmhouse.com
www.littlefarmhouse.com
Loon Lake Research and Education Centre
- Forest Tours
Where nature’s beauty awaits you around every corner. Experience
the legacy of 60 years dedicated to learning about forests and
nature at University of British Columbia’s Malcolm Research
Forest. Guided forest tours are offered year-round, by appointment
and are led by Malcolm Knapp Research Foresters.
Contact:
Jan Harper
loon.lake@ubc.ca
www.loonlake.ubc.ca
