See the Christmas Craft Fair in McBride

Come out and see what the valley’s multi-talented residents have been creating lately! Artwork, crafts, baked goods, photography, books and much more from home businesses will be on show 10 am to 2 pm Saturday 17 November. Admission $1 or by donation, at the Robson Valley Community Hall at 441 Columbia Street, McBride. The Christmas Craft Fair is an annual fundraiser for the McBride Parent Advisory Council. Money raised goes towards supporting student activities at McBride Secondary School. A concession will be hosted by school sports teams.

Join us for Remembrance Day in McBride

McBride’s cenotaph at First and Main. It is 100 years ago since the signing of the Armistice ending the First World War in 1918. McBride’s railway station, seen beyond, was rebuilt the same year.

Remembrance Day in McBride on November 11: At 10:30 am, the procession will assemble at the Legion Hall on Fourth Avenue (next to the Robson Valley Recreation Centre) and head along Main Street to the Cenotaph in Steve Kolida Park for the 11 am service. At noon, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #75 invites everyone to a by-donation roast beef dinner at the Legion Hall, prepared by Beanery 2 Bistro.

Women of McBride Charity Calendar

A one-time photography exhibition October 22 features the volunteers who posed for the 2019 charity calendar and the chosen photographs, plus a large exhibition of other images by Robson Valley photographer William Clark. Doors open 6:30pm at 241 Dominion Street, McBride, two blocks east of Main Street at the old library/museum. Everyone welcome!

Women of McBride Poster2

Special exhibition of paintings by renowned artist Trevor Lloyd Jones

A scene near McBride, Bell Mountain Meadow by Trevor Lloyd Jones

Well known in the Robson Valley and beyond as an art teacher and painter, the late Trevor Jones immigrated to Canada four decades ago, his entry to the country assured after staff at Canada House in London saw his paintings of the Canadian Rockies. Shortly after his passing earlier this year, he was honoured by Two Rivers Gallery in Prince George where some of his recent paintings shared the walls with those of Group of Seven member Lawren Harris. Come out to a special two day exhibition in McBride to see his passion for our landscapes and for art. Opens Saturday September 15, 2018 from 7:00 to 9:30 pm, followed by one daytime show Sunday September 16, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm, at the former McBride library building at 241 Dominion Street.

Athabaska by Trevor Lloyd Jones

Celebrate the Ancient Forest September 1!

BC Parks invites you to a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the beauty, biodiversity and magic of B.C.’s newest park – Ancient Forest / Chun T’oh Whudujut. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a welcome to the Territory by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nations, followed by a series of short speeches and lunch. In the afternoon, there will be local artists and musicians, from highland dancers and quilters, to painters and poets scattered throughout the forest performing and showing off their creations.

Attendees with an interest in science and learning about the forest’s incredible biodiversity can join a guided nature walk. Those with wild imaginations can explore the trails searching for Gandalf and the mystical forest fairies or take a break and enjoy an Ancient Forest inspired story. The celebrations wrap up at 4 p.m.

Bus transportation is provided from McBride and Prince George.

See all the details at BC Parks: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/events/2018/ancient-forest/

Details, travel and events

Community Markets are back!

Enjoy browsing, visiting, and the chance to buy fresh produce and more at outdoor markets in the valley. In downtown McBride, the community market runs on Fridays 11 am to 2 pm until September 7, in Kolida Park by the playground and railway station. The Dunster Farmers’ Market runs 11 am to 1 pm on Saturdays through September at the Dunster community hall by Highway 16. While in the valley, or if you are here on other days, visit the indoor markets and shops in McBride and Dunster for art, crafts, produce, baking and much more, including any supplies you might need for travelling or camping. Drop by the Visitor Centre in the railway station at First and Main, McBride any day 9 am to 5 pm for directions, or call 1-866-569-3366.

The Famous Dunster Ice Cream Social, and Canada Day in McBride

Take part in two local traditions in the Robson Valley this weekend! The renowned Dunster Ice Cream Social kicks off the weekend Saturday June 30, with all you can eat ice cream, cake, and pie starting at 7 pm, followed by the chance to dance it off with live music by Roadside Splinter at 9 pm. Watch for some interesting characters by Highway 16 as you approach Dunster Community Hall, 28 km east of McBride, 38 km west of Tete Jaune.

Then help celebrate Canada Day in McBride on July 1 with kids games in Kolida Park, barbecue at noon, O Canada and cake starting at 2 pm and fireworks starting at dusk.

See calendar for details.

A scent of spring–McBride Peak

Wildflowers are bursting with scent and colour just now in the Robson Valley. With the landscape bright spring green, it is a great time to escape into the wilderness–even if for a few minutes. As close as two kilometres outside McBride you can set foot on the western edge of the Rocky Mountains.

Map of trails on McBride Peak (click for full size)

After a few moments of travel up Rainbow Road and onto the McBride Peak forestry road you can already see across the tree tops to the valley below and the beautiful Cariboo Mountains. An exciting new trail network spans McBride Peak, starting at the parking lot just before km 1. Lilies, roses, columbines and violets are right on the trail, to name a few.

Piliated woodpecker looking for insects in a tree by the Bluff trail, May 2018.

Expect to encounter wildlife of any size, even if just squirrels and the big resident pileated woodpeckers. Robson Valley bird list. Mosquitoes vary depending on temperature and wind, so it is best to be prepared for them with repellent or suitable clothing. Wildlife and hiking safety tips.

Wild roses just outside McBride, June 2017

With more time you can drive, walk or cycle to the half way lookout and picnic site at km 5.9. (This is a steep gravel mountain road with only a couple of places to turn around; motor homes or low clearance vehicles not recommended). Follow the ascent of spring up the mountain another 5 km on the four wheel drive (rough) road as it zig zags nearly to the tree line. From here you can walk up to the historic lookout building, and further up you can find patches of snow any day of the year, a nice treat on hot July days. Please note that motorized vehicles are not permitted on the alpine.

A scramble over the trail and some rock takes you to McBride Peak (7446 ft, 2267m). Be alert for changes in weather–cloud can envelop the peak and make it a difficult and cold walk down. For details on this hike and more things do to around the valley, click here. For more information, contact or drop by the visitor centre in McBride, open 9 am to 5 pm every day.

Something for everyone at the Elks Pioneer Days!

Whether you like to take part or prefer to watch or listen, there is something for just about everyone to do during Pioneer Days in McBride. The parade heads down Main Street at 10 am Saturday June 2, followed by heavy horse demonstrations, logger sports, ball games and horseshoe tournaments–even sword fighting–and lots of things for kids to do all weekend. A century of vehicles and farm machinery will be at the show and shine, plus a quilt walk and lots of live music and food. For more information see the whole schedule here, or drop by the Visitor Centre, open 9 am to 5 pm every day.