Getaway BC » Quesnel

Honouring North Cariboo’s past

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Quesnel and area has a long and rich heritage beginning with Alexander Mackenzie’s 1793 expedition from Montreal to Bella Coola and Simon Fraser’s historic 1808 exploration and mapping of the Fraser River to its delta in New Westminster.

From the 1860s gold rush to Barkerville, the mining boom in Wells in the 1930s to present-day logging operations, the North Cariboo has brought visitors and settlers to its rich lands.

From booming gold towns, rural ranch and farm lands, bustling community life to our earliest pioneers exploring the farthest reaches of the Quesnel area, museums, historic sites, publications and historians offer a glimpse into the rich social, cultural, natural and industrial history of the area.

With Wells and Barkerville to the east, Nazko and the rich Chilcotin countryside to the west, Alexandria and McLeese Lake to the south and Hixon to the north, tours of the area brings the traveler to our vibrant historical roots.

The Quesnel Cariboo Observer has chronicled the events and celebrations of the community for 101 years and is a vital window into the heart and soul of Quesnel. With offices conveniently located at the foot of Reid Street in downtown Quesnel, drop by the office and pick up a copy of the best read in the North Cariboo.

Make one of your first stops our comprehensive Visitors’ Centre for information on points of interest in the area, tours and trails to discover, handy schedules, maps of museums and historic sites to visit.

Quesnel Museum and Archives is a step back in time with knowledgeable staff to assist you with all your questions and queries. Don’t forget to ask about Mandy, Quesnel’s much celebrated haunted doll.

Quesnel’s Antique Machinery Park, 10 kilometres south of the city, is a comprehensive collection of working and static machinery displays run by volunteers.

In addition to Quesnel’s own amazing history, just a short ride in any direction puts you in touch with the rest of the story.;

Barkerville, a taste of the vibrant past

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

One of Canada’s largest and most comprehensive historic towns, Barkerville provides visitors with a time warp experience as they step into the life and times of the Cariboo’s first European entrepreneurs and experience the 1860s.

The town grew almost overnight when news of Billy Barker’s famous gold strike reached desperate gold seekers throughout the colony of British Columbia and along the depleted gold fields of California. The cafes, stores, professionals and services which followed the miners to provide for their basic needs have been recreated, as well as a wealth of mining antiques and displays.

The park is open for visitors to experience life in the late 19th century from early May until well into September. Exhibits and displays, impersonators of famous people, a period theater and the infamous court of the “Hanging Judge”, Matthew Begbie, are also available to the public.

For those who desire to fully immerse themselves in the Barkerville experience, bed and breakfast establishments allow visitors to sleep in the park overnight, while costume rentals and interactive activities turn the imagination to Barkerville’s busiest years.

During the Christmas season, Barkerville dresses festively for the many visitors who enjoy a Victorian Christmas. Special events on the weekend of December 16, 17 and 18 are planned and they include sleigh rides and such family fun as taffy pulls.

Only an hour from Quesnel, along Highway 26, Barkerville is a worthwhile stop for tourists and amateur historians. For more information call 250-994-3302.

First Nations

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The Quesnel Friendship Centre, located at 319 North Fraser Drive in West Quesnel, is one of the centres of First Nations activity in Quesnel and hosts a variety of events and displays which share the unique, rich history of this area’s aboriginal population with residents and visitors. Traditional dances, spectacular visual displays and feasts mark special First Nations celebrations.

The centre also provides a wealth of support and assistance to the First Nations people of Quesnel, ensuring First Nations culture is retained and preserved within the aboriginal community and society at large. For information on the Centre phone 250-992-8347.

Cottonwood House

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Cottonwood House, one of the many stopping houses which provided provisions and rest to pioneers travelling the Cariboo Waggon Road, continues to offer a chance to stretch and re-fuel on the way to Barkerville. Located approximately 40 km east of Quesnel the boarding house, pioneer settlement and farm have been restored to its 1864 condition. Interpreters in period costumes give tours of the grounds.

The main house, barns, sheds, animals, wagon rides, and cabins as well as picnic grounds, continue to make Cottonwood house an excellent stop for weary travelers.

Cottonwood House is operated by the Quesnel School District and provides an opportunity for students to learn about tourism, business management, agriculture and history.;

Visit the Antique Machinery Park

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The Quesnel and District Heritage Association opened the Antique Machinery Park on Dragon Lake Road. With considerable contributions from the community the museum now offers a window into the agricultural world of days gone by.

Operated by volunteers, the Antique Machinery Park is situated on seven acres of land, 10 kilometres south of Quesnel.

Among the many displays both inside the buildings and on the grounds are collections of farming, logging, sawmilling, and mining machinery.

A demonstration of a restored antique sawmill from the 1940s is performed at intervals during the summer, and visitors are treated to the secrets of blacksmithing at the fully operational blacksmith shop.

Collections of small antique aritcles are seen within the main building, including a complete display of early B.C. licence plates.

Open from late May until mid September, you can get information by calling 250-747-4621.;

Paint Ball

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Paintball is quickly growing into one of the most popular, high energy activities available for fun and friendly competition. The thrill of the chase and a love of competition are the only requirements of this exciting sport, which is suitable for all ages. Players wear head and body protection as they chase and shoot each other with balls of washable paint.

Guerrilla Paintball provides local residents, and visitors, with hours of fun and unique competition in Quesnel’s Blackwater area west of downtown and Warrior Paintball offers live action in Quesnel’s Red Bluff Road area. For information call Guerrilla Paintball 250-249-0269 or Warrior Paintball 250-747-3927.;

The fish are plentiful

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Avid fishermen find the Cariboo an ideal spot to indulge their sport. Species which can be caught at different locations and in different seasons include trout and char. Also found here but strictly controlled by catch and release regulations are all steelhead, kokanee salmon, whitefish, burbot and sturgeon.

Fishermen are required to report all tagged fish they catch and are asked to release them back into the water. For complete information regarding fishing in the Cariboo, fishermen can pick up the latest Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis wherever licenses are sold. Before dipping the line in the water, all anglers must possess the proper permits and licenses.

Proud hunting history

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

British Columbia is internationally recognized by hunting enthusiasts. The Cariboo, used for centuries by local First Nations people, explorers and settlers to supply a consistent source of wild game, has opened its doors to this market.

Wildlife species which are available during specific seasons and in designated areas include mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, caribou, black bear, grizzly bear, wolf, lynx, cougar, bobcat, and snowshoe hare. Grouse, parmigan, partridge, raven, water fowl and various species of geese also provide sources of meat and draw the attention of sport hunters.

Licenses, as well as the necessary information regarding seasons and local regulations, are available at Quesnel’s many sports stores and many area gas stations.;

Outdoors beckons

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The North Cariboo offers some of the best outdoor adventures in the province.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find their biggest challenge just choosing what to experience first.

From the rivers to the hills, stunning geography beckons visitors to take to the trails on foot, horseback or cycling to drink in the varied landscape teeming with flora and fauna.

The skies are alive with the caws of the crows and the cries of the eagles.

The locals welcome visitors in their homes, on the streets and the many retail outlets ready to serve travelers.

Stroll the streets, soak up the atmosphere, live the Cariboo lifestyle.

Maybe this is the year you make the move to the Gold Pan City where the adventure is never over. ;

Calendar of events

GetawayBC.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

April 2009

23-26 Where the Rivers Meet Bluegrass Jamboree – Seniors’ Centre 250-992-6290

25 Arts and Culture Day – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

25 24th Annual Humongous Garage Sale & Home-based businesses

Quesnel Twin Arenas 250-992-7125

26-27 Peter Blundell Appraisals – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

26 Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake – Rev Bowling Lanes 250-992-7257

May 2009

1 – 31 Quesnel Art Gallery – Finding Equilibrium Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8885

1 Quesnel Home and Leisure Show – Twin Arenas 250-992-7125

3 Palliative Care’s 8th Annual Hike for Hospice – Ceal Tingley Park 250-991-7584

6 First train of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations 250-992-2111

9 Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt – Quesnel Downtown Association 250-991-0527

9 Outdoor Farmer’s Market opens – Helen Dixon grounds 250-747-8543

9 Move for Health Day 250-992-8200

11 West Coast Amusements – Alex Fraser Park 250-249-5170

11 Barkerville Historic Town – opens 10 a.m. 250-994-3332

16 Cottonwood House opens 250-992-2071

16 Barkerville Kids Run and Rush Relay 250-747-3586

18 Barkerville Victoria Day Tea – Wake Up Jake Restaurant 1-888-994-3332

18 Victoria Day Brunch – Cottonwood House 250-983-6900

22 Public Works Day 250-991-7480

23 Relay for Life – LeBourdais Park 250-747-5170

24 Central Interior Kart Series – Cariboo Raceway 250-747-3439

30 Airport Day, Quesnel Flying Club – Airport 250-991-7480

June 2009

1 – 30 Art Gallery – Cromarty Clan Reflections – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

1 Spring Splash Down – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

5 Gold Pan City Dance Year end Gala – Chuck Mobley theatre 250-992-2292

6 Quesnel Family Day – LeBourdais Park 250-992-7125

6 – 7 Logger Sports Day – Alex Fraser Park 250-747-4580

12-14 and 17-20 Back to Broadway, Chuck Mobley Theatre -

Gold Pan City Dance 250-992-2292

19-21 Sylvia’s 6th Annual Music Festival 250-249-5193

20 Theatre Royal Summer Gala - Barkerville 1-888-994-3332

21 Fathers’ Day Celebration – Cottonwood House 250-983-6900

21 Father’s Day Brunch – Sylvia’s Cafe 250-249-5193

22 Aboriginal Day – LeBourdais Park 250-992-8347

24-27 QSS and Correlieu Graduation ceremonies – Twin Arenas

29 Imagination Park begins – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

July 2009

1-31 Quesnel Art Gallery – Artists in the Gardens – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

1 Canada Day – Cottonwood House 250-992-2071

1 Canada Day – LeBourdais Park 250-992-2111

1 Dominion Day Celebrations in Barkerville 250-994-3302

4 Artists in the Market – Helen Dixon Grounds 250-747-4543

11-12 Central Interior Karting Series 250-991-9865

16-19 Billy Barker Days – Various locations 250-992-1234

16-19 Quesnel Amateur Rodeo – Alex Fraser Park 250-992-1234

19 Artists in the Gardens – garden tours around Quesnel 250-992-8200

19 27th Annual Gold Rush Fun Run – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

25-31 15th Annual B.C. Fiddler’s Retreat – Gavin Lake 250-992-5081

26 Prospector’s Club Show and Shine – Cottonwood House 250-983-6900

31 Mini Motorcycle Racers 250-991-9865

31, Aug. 1-3 ArtsWells Music Festival – Wells, Barkerville 1-800-442-2787

August 2009

1-31 Quesnel Art Gallery – Double Exposure – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

1,2 B.C. Team Roping Finals-Alex Fraser Park

1,2 Mini Motorcycle Racers, Western Canadian Championship Race 250-991-9865

3 B.C. Day and fundraising auction – Cottonwood House 250-992-2071

6,7,8 4-H Show and Sale – Alex Fraser Park 250-747-3658

7,8,9 Regional Go-Kart Racing 250-991-9865

8 Williams Creek Sports Day – Barkerville 1-888-994-3332

Goldfield Bakery 6th Annual Pie Eating Contest

15 Flavours of Quesnel – Farmers’ Market – Helen Dixon Grounds 250-747-8543

16 Hixon Car Club Show 1-250-998-4735

17-21 Millionaires Summer Hockey School – Twin Arenas 250-992-7125

17-21 Aquasport Week – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

21-23 Watercolour portraits workshop – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

22 Heritage Acres Praisefest 250-992-3500

22 Mid-Autumn Festival – Barkerville 1-888-994-3332

25-29 Millionaires Training Camp – Twin Arenas 250-992-7125

29-30 Quesnel Exhibition, Fair

30-Sept. 4 Ringette Camp 250-747-2239

September 2009

5 Central Registration – Twin Arenas 250-992-7125

3-30 Quesnel Art Gallery – Group of Four – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

5 Central Registration – Arts & Rec Centre 250-992-8200

5-7 Quesnel Fall Fair – Alex Fraser Park 250-249-5329

5-6 Old Time Fiddlers Picnic – Legion Beach 250-992-5081

12 Farmers’ Market Customer Appreciation Day – Helen Dixon grounds 250-747-8543

13 Terry Fox Run

17-20 BCRA rodeo finals – Alex Fraser Park 250-992-7125

18 Welcome Back public skating – Twin Arenas 250-992-7125

19 7 Summit challenge – Wells 1-877-451-9355

19,20 Central Interior Kart Series – Cariboo Raceway Park 250-747-3439

27 Last Day of Theatre Royal Fall Show – Barkerville 1-888-994-3332