Arts in the Parks–A Three Day Festival
This long weekend, visit the Robson Valley and enjoy free art, music and history celebrations in some of Canada’s most breathtaking scenery.
Day 1: Saturday, Aug 31, 2019 Arts in the Ancient Forest Park.
A universal access boardwalk runs to a waterfall through more than 400 metres of forest.
Celebration Details:
Time: 11 am – 4 pm
Location: Ancient Forest / Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park by Highway 16, approximately 113 km east of Prince George and 95 km northwest of McBride.
What: Family-friendly Art in the Park event to celebrate the beauty, biodiversity and magic of the Ancient Forest / Chun T’oh Whudujut.
The event will begin at 11am with welcoming to the Territory by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nations and a dedication of the festivals in memory of Mary Gouchie by singer-songwriter, Kym Gouchie.
After the dedication brief words from the festival planning committee and elected representatives will follow:
MC Dannielle Alan, Regional District of Fraser–Fort George Area H Director
Shirley Bond, Member of the BC Legislature,
Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament
Gene Runtz, Mayor of McBride
Lyn Hall, Mayor of Prince George
Nowell Senior will tell his story of the forest.
Dome Creek artists Hugh Perkins (left) and Kathy Juncker hand felt natural fibers to make incredible pictures inspired by the Ancient Cedar forests around Dome Creek.
Arts in the Park will begin with local artists and musicians, from dancers and quilters, knitters and painters, sculptors and felters, basket weavers and wood turners scattered throughout the forest performing and showing off their creations. Attendees can wander throughout the forest enjoying the many sights and sounds, while searching for Gandalf and the mystical forest fairies.
If all this excitement makes you hungry there is also lunch available by donation through the Dome Creek Community Association as supplies last.
Cost: Free to attend
Tentative timeline:
11:00 am: Event begins!
11:00 – 11:20am: Lheidli T’enneh First Nations Territorial Welcome and Prayer Kym Gouchie
11:20 -11:45pm: Committee welcome
11:30 – 4:00pm: On going events
BBQ lunch
Music stations
Visual artist stations
Guided naturalist walks (starting at 12:00 pm and 1:15 pm
Getting to the Celebration:
You never know who you may meet up in the Ancient Forest on Saturday!
Complimentary accessible buses from Prince George and McBride are available by pre-registration on a first come, first serve basis. Please RSVP through Engage Sport North via: https://events.eventzilla.net/e/art-in-the-park-discovering-chun-toh-whudujut–august-31-2019-2138765868?resp=on&dateid=2138461461
Please note the departure times for the bus you choose; you must take the same bus back.
Bus options: Leaving McBride at 9:30 am from McBride Railway Station
Arrive Ancient Forest at 11am
Enjoy the festival 11am -1pm
Leave forest at 1:00pm
Arrive back in McBride 2:30 pm
Parking:
Please work with the parking attendants at the Ancient Forest to make parking as easy as possible and car pool with friends and family if possible!
Things to Consider:
Please bring a water bottle
Please dress appropriately for the weather
Bring extra snacks as needed
Thank You to our Celebration Supporters and Sponsors:
Lheidli T`enneh First Nations, Caledonia Ramblers, Robson Valley Arts and Culture Council, Northern Development Initiatives Trust, Village of McBride, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Dome Creek Community Association, BC Parks, Diversified Transportation, City of Prince George, Tourism PG, Engage Sports North, many local musicians and artists!
Day 2: Arts in Steve Kolida Park, McBride, Sunday 2 September 2019
The passenger train arrives at McBride’s railway station in its first year, 1919
Come Celebrate With Us!
Sunday, September 1st from 11 AM to 4 PM at Steve Kolida Park in McBride next to the railway station.
Join artists, vendors and performers as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of our own Heritage Railway Station. The model railway will be open and the Valley Museum will give guided history tours. McBride Pedicab Co is offering free rides and CN Rail is sponsoring a free BBQ hosted by Live Different. Free cake! With live music, artist demonstrations and lots of crafts, baking and other goodies for sale the park will be full of fun – JOIN US! And be sure to visit the museum show celebrating the station’s 100th anniversary at 521 Main Street, open until 8 pm August 30 and 31, closed Sundays and Mondays.
The station has witnessed many changes since the early 1920s, but the downtown railway parks have been preserved. Photos courtesy Valley Museum and Archives.
Day 3: Kinney Lake Alphorn Concert, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Monday 2 September 2019
Even the clouds seemed to get into the spirit during this 2014 performance. A hushed audience was treated to notes returning from mountain sides kilometres away across Kinney Lake.
Join us in the natural amphitheatre of Mount Robson for a Kinney Lake Alphorn Concert, 2 Sep 2019, with Jane Houlden and Keith Berg starting noon at Kinney Lake. It takes about an hour to walk from the parking lot along the Berg Lake Trail to Kinney Lake, 4.5 km. Come enjoy the beauty of the hike, the scenery and the sound of the alphorns echoing off the mountain sides!
Keith Berg and Jane Houlden play alphorns right below the peak of Mount Robson