Your guide to events in the Columbia Valley | 2018
MOUNTAIN. RISE. Full Page 8.25” x 10.75 .25” Bleed We will be the affordable, family-friendly village that reconnects people to nature, and each other. We’re looking for ambitious community builders to pursue housing innovation, rebuild a unique work-live downtown, and create the next generation of business legends. Contact us to discuss opportunities.
250.349.5462 www.canalflats.ca Photo credit: Shannon Andrukow
Full Service Gas at Self-Serve Price
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• Glow Bowling • Pool Tables
• Ice Cream Parlour • Flavoured Soft Ice Cream
• Licensed Lounge
• Snacks & Treats
250-342-BOWL
• Propane/Diesel • Convenience Store • Fireworks
(2695)
250-342-6117
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Visit us on Highway 93/95 between Invermere & Windermere
• Custom-cut fir timbers up to 30’ long • Custom Timber Planing up to 24" wide • Custom cut cedar – Call for availability
• S4S, F.O.H.C., V.G. – All available upon request • Dry Kiln and Moulder now running • Bandsawn, Resawn or Headsawn
• Flooring, TNG, V-joint • Stain and finishing now available • Interior moulding and trim • Delivery available
We pride ourselves in using the finest quality products with natural ingredients to create traditional and entirely homemade dishes
Eat-in or Take-out Open for lunch and dinner from 11am-9pm
NORTHSTAR HARDWARE & BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD.
5009 Hot Springs Road 250-345-6661 Fairmont Hot Springs, BC tonysgreekgrill@gmail.com
Independently owned • 410 Borden Street •Invermere Phone 250-342-6226 • Fax 250-342-4424 • www.nstarhw.ca
Monday Nights at Dark Pothole Park, Downtown lnvermere August 6th - Willy Wonka
July 9th - Mrs. Doubtfire
and the Chocolate Factory (old)
July 16th - Kong Skull Island
August 13th - La La Land
July 23rd - The Greatest Showman
August 20th - Captain Underpants
July 30th - Ballerina
August 27th - Paddington
events@invermere.net
Viewer discretion is advised. May contain content that is not suitable for some audiences.
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Cash Concession Available
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July 2nd - Wonder Woman
THE STORY BEHIND THE COVER ART By Steve Hubrecht, Editor
The vibrant colours, bold lines and unmistakeable depiction of a quintessential valley landmark make it a perfect fit for the magazine and, like much of Pat’s work, it draws on plenty of different influences, including his background in stained glass, his study of colour theory, his collage work, his formal training as a town planner, his feng shui practice, and inspiration from artists such as Daphne Odjig and Norval Morriseau.
The Columbia Valley’s backcountry has been drawing the Bavin family into its mountainous green folds for the better part of a century now.
The card featuring Who Pulled the Plug on Commander Glacier?, available at Bavin Glassworks, cites leading Canadian glaciologist Robert Standford, highlighting the effects of climate change on glaciers across the country.
Rugged peaks, thick forests, sparkling lakes — all have been interpreted by generations of Bavins, be it through the lens of a camera, by brushstrokes on canvas, or through glasswork. “Going to the bush is a family tradition,” says Pat Bavin. “My parents had my brother and I out there all the time. So no surprise, my own kids ended up spending a lot of time in the backcountry too. It’s a rich part of our life as a family.” In fact Pat’s father Hal and mother Helen spent so much time in the high country that a tarn on Chalice Ridge has been named Bavin Lake in their honour. Hal wielded a camera with skill, and his elegant black and white photos of the valley and environs adorned early postcards. Pat followed in his father’s nature-centric artistic footprints, sketching, painting, and learning the intricate craft of glasswork, before opening Bavin Glassworks in Invermere in 1988. Pat’s son Ryan carried on the tradition, joining his father in running Bavin Glassworks (Ryan is now the main blower for the operation) in addition to becoming a mountain guide. Ryan also inherited his grandfather’s photographic touch, and produces fine art landscape photography, in both black and white and colour. Although Pat’s name is synonymous with glass in the valley, his paintings have garnered plenty of acclaim for years, and it is one of his recent works in this medium,Who Pulled the Plug on Commander Glacier?, that graces the cover of this year’s Valley Beat.
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“In some ways my painting is a visual translation of Robert’s text,” says Pat. “In my work I sometimes try to bring art in line with science to better express the story. Ultimately that’s what I hope this piece does — increasing awareness of this critical issue. It’s so important for the artist to tell a story, in their own style and way, and for me that story is the need to conserve what we have.” Although climate change may be global in spread, the impacts are felt here in the valley, something Pat is intimately aware of. “I’ve always been familiar with Commander Glacier, but from 1994 to 1997, working for RK Heliski, I got to know it quite well. It’s always been an iconic glacier. It has a really dramatic vertical drop and massive seracs and crevasses. It’s kind of known as the granddaddy of glaciers in the area. I’m really fortunate to be one of the small handful of people to actually ski the thing,” says Pat. “So to literally have watched it recede during my lifetime, to see it shrink, well you can’t ignore that.” With so many local events taking place in, beside, or on the water (be it fluid or frozen) coursing through the valley, it may indeed be worth casting some consideration to what’s happening upstream.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS The story behind the cover art ���������������������������������������������������������������� 4 A valley full of family fun �������������������������������������������������������������������6-7
Summer and fall events calendar ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 8-10 River race highlights Kootenay paddling scene ����������������������� 11 An evening in white ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12 Mountains of good times at Mosaic Festival ��������������������������� 13 Show and Shine stands out ������������������������������������������������������������������14 Wine enthusiasts welcome ������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
Fall, winter and spring events calendar
16-17 & 20 Winter wheels get turnin’ at Cross River Ripper ����������������� 18 Throwing stones on a lake of dreams ������������������������������������������ 19 Blazin’ blades back in the Flats �������������������������������������������������������� 21 Festival celebrates natural bounty ���������������������������������������������� 22 Relax, it’s time to unwind ������������������������������������������������������������������ 23 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Bullriding in the Rockies
Photos by Marlene Chabot
The Valley Beat is published annually by The Columbia Valley Pioneer Newspaper, Misko Publishing. Publisher Editor Graphic design Sales Associate Staff Writers
Dean Midyette Steve Hubrecht Emily Rawbon, Darla Gray Amanda Nason Lorene Keitch, Dauna Ditson
Contributing writers: Victoria Klassen, Leah Scheitel, Breanne Massey, James Rose, Eric Elliott, Nancy Smith Photographers: Marlene Chabot, Nikki Fredrikson, Erin Knutson, Dan Walton, Katie Watt, Lizzie Midyette, Dauna Ditson, Steve O’Shaughnessy, Kristin McCauley Cover art: Pat Bavin Cover design and layout: Justin Keitch Box 868, #8, 1008 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone 250-341-6299 Fax 1-855-377-0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com N E W S PA P E R
www.columbiavalleypioneer.com www.columbiavalleymagazines.com
This material, written or artistic, may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff of The Valley Beat. It is agreed by any display advertiser requesting space that the owner's responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions of any kind, is limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item and there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.
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A valley full of family By Lorene Keitch
If you have kids, there is not a better place to be than in the Columbia Valley. The plethora of events available for families means that, if you want to, you never have to leave the area to entertain the small humans in your life. The new year for us kicks off with one of the numerous fireworks displays around the valley. I recommend the Village of Radium Hot Springs for their stellar community party. The kids find ample sledding hills on the bowl descending into the baseball diamond, before clambering up to enjoy hot chocolate by one of the campfires dotting the park. Then the crowd wanders down to the golf course to get a front-row view to the fireworks. The bonus of these fireworks is they are earlier in the evening, which means you can have a fun party and still get kids to bed at a decent hour. The Snowflake Festival later in the winter is not to be missed. Kids will love dancing to the live music and watching the bonspielers take to the ice.You’re sure to run into friends
as you play on the slippery surfaces and revel in the winter fun. Grab your skates for the outdoor rink and be sure to stay for the pinnacle of the festival: fireworks light up the night sky, the bright bursts of colour reflecting off the icy lake for a visual masterpiece under the stars. In the spring there’s always Easter-themed events we hop to, including various community Easter egg hunts. There’s also ‘Art from the Heart’ — every schoolchild in the valley gets to display a piece of art in this annual exhibit at Pynelogs Art Gallery. It is such a unique opportunity for students to be featured like “real artists” in a real gallery. Mark your calendar for May, when the annual Wings over the Rockies festival takes flight, which includes a children’s festival filled with crafts, activities, games, face painting, treats, and more in a kid-tastic day. New in 2018 was Paddle Palooza, a water-themed event at Kinsmen Beach put on by Columbia River Paddle. It’s a perfect chance to embrace the waterloving lifestyle and try something new. We borrowed a couple SUPs and put our kids on the front for a small tour around the bay, allowing us to test-drive whether SUPs fit our family. Canal Days in early June is one of our favourite family events in the valley. The parade always has fun floats (and mounds of candy for the kids), live music, entertainment, delicious treats, and even a ‘money hill’ where the kids joyfully burrow for coins. Through the summer, the can’t-miss weekly farmers market in downtown Invermere is a popular family activity. We enjoy the live entertainment,
Snowflake Festival Photo by Lorene Keitch
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fun Photos by Lorene Keitch
pick up fresh local produce, and socialize the morning away before heading to the beach. On Valley Appreciation Day, the market stretches down main street, the entertainment lasts through the day, and volunteers furiously flip pancakes to keep up with demand from the considerable crowd. Be sure to catch a ride on the horse-drawn carriage that winds through downtown Invermere. Canada Day is the peak day for child-centred fun. Celebrations happen across the valley, including a phenomenal parade in downtown Invermere where the firetrucks outnumber the floats I’m sure, followed by the Mountain Mosaic Festival at Kinsmen Beach. All the usual events that make it great for kids are part of this event, including facepainting and live music.
Fire and Ice Photo by Lorene Keitch
We cart down blankets and gather with other families at Pothole Park to enjoy one of the family-friendly movie on offer, then when it’s done, traipse home in the light of our iPhone flashlights, the heavy weight of a tired child sagging satisfyingly in our arms.
Canal Flats Days Photo by Justin Keitch
The summer for us is not complete without at least one ‘Movies in the Mountain’ night, a picture-perfect movie event. valley
We head to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for the Holiday Lights & Winter Nights to herald in the Christmas season. Walk amongst the thousands of twinkly lights, roast marshmallows, get your picture taken with Old Saint Nick, then stay for a satisfying dinner in one of the hotel restaurants before heading to the pool for a night soak. There are countless more events in the Valley, with focuses on arts, sports, or other passions. No matter what your style, there is guaranteed a bevy of family-friendly events for your crew in the Columbia Valley.
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SUMMER
JUNE June - June (all year) June – August Windermere Valley Museum in Invermere on summer hours seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit windermerevalleymuseum.ca June – August Market and Music on Main. Every Friday July & August at the visitor centre, 4 to 9 p.m. A community market and live entertainment. Visit radiumhotsprings.com/event June - September Invermere Farmers and Artisans Market. Every Saturday morning in downtown Invermere. Enjoy a bustling market with organic produce, artisan products and live music on the Cenotaph Stage. Visit invermerefarmersmarket.net Jun 27th - August 29th Farmer’s market hosted by the Windermere District Farmers’ Institute at the Agri Park grounds. Wednesday evenings from 5 7:30 p.m. Visit wdfi.ca June 29th – September 1st Valley Block Parties, free. Prize draws, fresh fry bread and more. Lakeshore Resort, every Friday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Contact connectingcolumbiavalley@gmail. com June 30th Canada Day in Canal Flats at Tilley Memorial Park starting at noon. Fireworks at the Civic Centre 11 p.m.
June 30th One minute after midnight (12:01 a.m. on July 1st), Annual Kinsmen Club fireworks. Best places viewing spots — Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, Lakeview Road, James Chabot Beach
JULY July 1st Annual Canada Day Parade in Downtown Invermere from Pothole Park. Parade begins 11 a.m. July 1st Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts and Canada Day Celebration at Kinsmen Beach, Invermere. Free family-friendly outdoor festival with entertainment, activities, vendors and more. See page 13. Noon to 3 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
July 6th – 8th 7th Annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival. All-genre outdoor music festival in Edgewater. Visit steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca. July 2nd - August 27th Movies in the Mountains at Pothole Park. Free outdoor screenings every Monday, starting at dusk. Email events@invermere. net July 3rd - August 23rd Adventure Radium every TuesdayThursday. Summer program for kids. Visit radiumhotsprings.ca July 3rd Lions Golf Day. Copper Point Resort, The Point Course. copperpointgolf.com
July 1st Canada Day celebration at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort all day, free. Live music, barbecue, activities and more. Fireworks at 10:30 p.m.Visit fairmonthotsprings.com/eventsand-festivals July 1st Canada Day celebration in Radium Hot Springs at the Visitor Centre, and special Market and Music on Main 4-9 p.m. Visit radiumhotsprings.com/event July 1st Canada Day at Panorama Mountain Resort. Visit panoramaresort.com/events valley
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July 5th – August 30 Sun, Sand and Sport Thursdays. 5 to 8 p.m., Kinsmen Beach. Free family friendly events, pluse giant Jenga, scrabble, dominos, bubbles and sidewalk chalk and more. Visit www.invermereevents.com July 5th - 8th Horsethief Hideout Memorial Motorcycle Rally. Live music, vendors, free camping, hot showers. No minors, glass or dogs.Visit horsethiefhideout.com July 7th Mountain Al Fresco. A dinner in white at a secret location. The dining event of the year! See page 12. Call 250-342-9281, email events@invermere.net
July 7th Wild Food & Medicinal Plants. Wild walk with local naturalist Kalista Pruden.Wilmer Wetlands 10 a.m – noon. Visit Wildsight.ca/invermere
July 7th - 8th Heart of the Rockies Triathlon in Invermere and Young Hearts kids’ event Visit heartoftherockiestri.ca July 10th - 22nd Art Show at Pynelogs. Tracie Truscott, Lynne Grillmair, Lisa Adams & Jim McElroy. Artist pARTy soiree July 12th, 7 - 9 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com July 11th – August 4th Watershed stewardship series kids camps. Ages 8 – 12. James Chabot Beach, 9 - 11 am. Contact info@lakeambassadors July 14th Artist Verne Busby demo and showcase, Effusion. Visit effusionartgallery.com July 18th Magician during day time, hypnotist (TBC) at night. Horsethief Pub, Radium. Visit horsethiefpub.ca/events
July 24th to August 12th Art Show at Pynelogs. ‘Concert on Canvas’ themed art show & fundraiser for CV Arts. PARTy event August 11th. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
July 20th 20th Annual Bull Riding in the Rockies. Next to the Invermere Curling Centre. World professional bull riders followed by a family dance. Visit TheColumbiaValley.ca
July 27th – 29th 4th annual Toby Creek Race and Whitewater Weekend. Intermediate, advanced and elite categories. See page 11. For more info email simon@aquabatics.com
July 20th - 21st Karyn Chopik Jewelry trunk show, Effusion. Visit effusionartgallery. com
July 27th- 29th Canadian national downhill mountain bike championships at Panorama. Visit panoramaresort. com
July 21st BIG Book Sale. Thousands of used books. Columbia Valley Centre. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All proceeds support Invermere Public Library. Call 250-342-6416 July 21st Valley Appreciation Day in downtown Invermere. Free pancake breakfast, live music, children’s activities, outdoor market and more! Visit TheColumbiaValley.ca
July 27th - 29th 11th annual Invermere Ballfest Slo-Pitch Tournament at Crossroads Ballpark. Find “Ballfest Slo-Pitch Tournament” on Facebook
July 21st Mr. & Mrs. Open Tournament. Couples golf tournament, 2 p.m. Call Spur Valley Golf Resort at 250-347-6500 July 23rd – 27th Summer Art Camps with Black Star Studio at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Ages 7+. Also on July 30-August 3rd and August 20-24th. Call 250-342-6663
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July 29th - 29th Horseback Archery Tournament at Luxor Corrals at Spur Valley. Call Doug at 250-347-9048 July 29th Lake Windermere Open Water Swim. This out and back swim starts at 8 a.m. Option to swim 1 km, 2 km or 5 km. Visit heartoftherockiestri.ca Continued on page 10 . . .
SUMMER
July 7th The Springs 30th anniversary celebration. The Springs course, Radium Resort. Visit wwws. radiumgolf.ca/springsbday
July 19th Musical scientist Andrew Kim presentation on making recycled objects into music. 10:45 a.m. Radium Park. Visit radium. bc.libraries.coop
AUGUST August 4th Radium Fire Department/Rotary Gardens open house garage sale and fundraising BBQ. .10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Visit radiumhotsprings.com/ event August 5th Art in the Park at Pothole Park in Invermere, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Find “Invermere Art in the Park” on Facebook
August 11th 42nd annual Lakeside Event. Hang glider and paraglider pilots take off from Mt. Swansea and land in water targets at James Chabot Beach. Visit lakesideevent.com August 11th Radium Public Library’s Teddy Bear Picnic at Legends Field, 9:30 a.m. Visit radium.bc.libraries.coop August 11th Green Shores for Homes Level 1. Free workshop on shoreline ecology and restoration. Email info@lakeambassadors.ca August 11th - 12th 10th annual Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Free self-directed tour of studios/galleries throughout the Columbia Basin. Visit cbculturetour.com August 14th - 26th Art Show at Pynelogs. Paulina Stankovski, Gerry George, Colin Bell & personal portraits ‘Stories in Ink’ featuring Neal Panton. Artist pARTy soiree August 16th, 7 - 9 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com August 15th Yuk Yuk’s On Tour stand up comedy 9 p.m. Visit horsethiefpub.ca/events
August 18th Summer Splash! Free annual family-friendly lake celebration at James Chabot beach, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visit lakeambassadors.ca August 18th – 19th 7th annual Free Fairmont Hot Springs Airport Fly In. Contact 250-345-2121 or sjestley@fhsr. com August 25th Local Feast Long Table Dinner at Panorama. Visit www. panoramaresort.com
SEPTEMBER August 28th - September 9th Art Show at Pynelogs. Kimberly Olson, Alice Hale, Judith Rackham & Bill DesBrisay. Artist pARTy soiree August 30th, 7 - 9 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com August 31st – September 2nd Walkers Labour Day Classic Old Timers Charity Hockey tournament. Email walkersrepair@ cyberlink.bc.ca September 1st - 7th Fur n Feather exhibition. Cameron Bird, Fiona Couillard, Alex Fong, Andrew Kiss, Brian Porter, Marshall & Angie Rees. Artists on site Sepetember 1st from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit artymgallery.com September 1st - 30th Windermere Valley Museum fall hours. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visit windermerevalleymuseum.ca September 2nd - 3rd Bugaboo Blast competition. 340 targets. Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club. Visit lwdrodgun. com September 5th Swinging Senior Open. The Ridge course at Copper Point. Visit copperpointgolf.com valley
September 7th - 8th Mainstream square dance weekend. New Radium hall, hosted by Columbia Valley Twirlers Square Dance Club. Contact Albert 250 347 6573 September 11th to 23rd Art Show at Pynelogs. Lori Lees Stout, Cat McDiarmid, Carol Gordon, Laurie Merlo & Cecilia Lea. Artist pARTy Soiree September 13th 7 – 9 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com September 14th - 15th Columbia Valley Classics Autumn Show and Shine car show in Radium. See page 14. Visit radiumcarshow.com September 14th - 16th Rockin’ on Main. Radium Visitor Centre. Live music and vendor market. Visit radiumhotsprings. com September 15th Live music, car show special. Free. 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Horsethief Pub. Visit horsethiefpub.ca/events September 15th -16th WildSafe weekend. Special activities at WildSafeBC booth at Radium Car Show (and across B.C.). Visit www.wildsafebc.com September 15th – 16th, 22nd - 23rd Tamarack Ridge Walk at Panorama, with spectacular fall colours. Visit panoramaresort.com/ events
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September 21st - 23rd The inaugural Columbia Valley Pride festival, various locations in the valley. Activities and events for everybody, including a youth movie night and a drag show. Visit www.columbiavalleypride.org September 22nd Columbia Valley Rockies tournament at Copper Point (Ridge Course). Visit copperpointgolf.com September 23rd Fall Shoreline Cleanup. Email info@lakeambassadors.ca September 25th Ram into Fall golf tournament. Radium chamber fundraiser. Radium Golf Golf Group, Radium Course. Visit radiumhotsprings. com/events September 29th Oktoberfest in downtown Invermere. Family activities, live music, bratwurst and more. Visit InvermereEvents.ca September 29th STARS charity golf tournament. Fairmont Hot Springs. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com September TBA 6th Annual Butterfly Barn Dance. Visit hospicesocietycv.com September or October TBA 8th Annual Columbia Salmon Festival. Location TBA. Visit facebook.com/columbiasalmonfest
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SUMMER
August 11th 23rd annual Loop the Lake. Community running race event and Rotary Club fundraiser. Half marathon, 10-km and 5-km course. Visit loopthelake.bc.ca
August 17th – 18th Invermere MusicFest outdoor beachside music festival at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere. Two days of live music featuring top local and visiting bands, and more. Visit invermeremusicfest.com
River race highlights Kootenay paddling scene By Victoria Klassen
Photos by Stephan Malette
If you happen to be driving along Toby Creek Road during the last week of July, and glance creekside, don’t be startled to see an unending stream of whitewater boaters ‘brown clawing’ their way down the gnarly stretch of rapids a few kilometres east of Panorama Mountain Resort. Impromptu river rat party? No, even better, it’s the annual Toby Creek Race. The idea for an event of frothy fun in the Columbia Valley was hatched by Simon Coward and a few other paddlers four years ago. They wanted something for hair boaters and beaters alike, and so created a race for elite paddlers with prize money, at a location where intermediate paddlers could also participate and where spectators could easily view the event. The chosen stretch of Toby Creek near Panorama immediately jumped to mind as an ideal location. The first year saw around 30 paddlers, and the race has steadily been getting larger since. This year with early registration, Simon anticipates more than 100 participants. With the Toby Creek Race taking place from July 27th to 29th, Simon says he and other organizers are hoping to attract some of the whitewater paddlers who will be attending the Canadian Whitewater Canoe Kayak Championships in Kananaskis the weekend after.
prize money and paddlers in this category will take part in two days of races, with the final race on the notorious Slipping Rock rapid. The advanced category is a one-day event, with the best time of two races determining the prize winners. The intermediate category is for kayakers who are comfortable on a class two or three course. Simon says the intermediate category has seen the most growth in participation. “It’s a community driven event. It’s run by the industry so we have a number of solid sponsors such as Dagger Whitewater Kayaks, NRS, and locally, Adventure Paddle School,” says Simon. “We have these great sponsors who are all community focused. Nobody is out to make money off of it. The race is at a great location, it’s a great gathering of people and we just hope that it helps grow the interest and exposure of paddle sports in the East Kootenay.”
With the growth of the competition, some changes have been made to the race for 2018. Race organizers have rented HeliSprings Chalet so there is now a self-contained area for those who will be camping. B.C. Roads will be controlling traffic this year, closing one lane of traffic at the race site for safety purposes. There are three divisions in the Toby Creek Race: elite, advanced and intermediate. The elite category races for the
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An evening in white Left to right: the centre's banquet hall, main entrance .
By Dauna Ditson Snowy barrettes. Ivory bow ties. White-gold bracelets. Bone-white shoes. Dresses and linens ranging from chantilly lace to the palest cream to the smoothest talc. Everywhere you look at Mountain Al Fresco, guests will be dressed head to toe in shades of Benjamin Moore’s lightest collection as they dine outdoors in the splendour of the Columbia Valley. You are cordially invited to the glamorous picnic, but your confirmation will be missing one key detail. The location. The setting will be revealed to guests mere hours in advance of the Mountain Al Fresco gathering, which will take place this summer on Saturday July 7th. “The idea is to surprise diners with an enchanting evening of entertainment in a secret location,” says District of Invermere events coordinator Cortney Pitts. “We’re providing the location, live music, the tables, chairs and white tablecloths. Guests bring everything else for their picnic,” she says. “Once your table is beautifully decorated, sit back and enjoy dining al fresco.” Lacy doilies are optional, but guests will need to bring their own white dishes, blanched centrepieces and glasses. Outside alcohol isn’t permitted, but there will be a cash bar with wine, beer and tea-infused cocktails. Guests can pre-purchase meals prepared by Café Allium,
Birchwood or Hopkins Harvest (featuring The Hot Spot) to pick up on arrival. They are also welcome to carry in their own three-course meal, although home chefs may want to
steer clear of ketchup and drippy condiments that could inadvertently add an unintentional dash of colour to the whitest of duds. Live music with Flint & Feather and DJ Wild Bill will have guests tapping their pale-stockinged toes and dancing into the dusk. Cortney says 150 guests attended last year’s event, which had a similar theme but took place under a different name. “The sight is one you have to see for yourself,” she says. “It’s pretty amazing to see a crowd of people, all dressed completely in white, overtake a public space.” Visit mountainalfresco.com for more information, to pre-book meals and to check out suggested recipes for those preparing their own dinners. Rain or shine, the party will go on beneath guests’ pristine white umbrellas.
Mountains of good times at Mosaic Festival
Fully Licensed
Restaurant & Lounge
By Leah Scheitel Photo by Erin Knutson
The colourful, fun-filled Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts has become a community staple in the summer calendar. Now in its 14th year, the festival is one of the best ways to celebrate Canada’s birthday in the Columbia Valley. Community and art are the two underlying themes of the festival, which sprawls across much of Kinsmen Beach from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on July 1st. The festival is a collection of live entertainment, local artists, food vendors and family-friendly activities, such as face painting and art project. The boat building race, a fan favourite, will be back this year, with members of the Windermere Fire Department hosting the building of boats over the course of the afternoon and then racing them at the end of the festival (this lively competition raises money for Muscular Dystrophy Canada). “It’s something that we believe in as a community arts event for locals and for visitors,” says Columbia Valley Arts
Council executive director and event organizer Jami Scheffer. In past years, the Mountain Mosaic Festival has attracted up to 3,000 people, and Jami expects to see similar numbers at this year’s celebration. Many people follow the Canada Day Parade, sponsored by the local Royal Canadian Legion, which struts through Invermere and ends at Kinsmen Beach just in time for the Mosaic Festival to kick off. This year’s entertainment lineup is new and features local band The Small Town Dirtbags as well as Emma Postlethwaite. The young Invermere-born and raised singer-songwriter will sing the national anthem. Also new this year is a dance caller, providing instruction for contra and line dancing. “Leslie is new in town. She reached out to us this winter and we quickly signed her up for this festival because it’s a perfect family event,” says Jami. With entertainment and activities for the entire crew, this Canada Day staple is not one to miss.
Proud supporters of local food producers
Specializing in Austrian & Continental Cuisine • Schnitzel • Steak • Seafood • Bratwurst • Homemade Pasta Try our homemade desserts!
Children’s Menu Fresh Food and Fresh Ingredients!
Y DAIL RSE U 3-CO NER DIN IAL SPEC Private Functions/Seminars: We can help you with entertainment, buffet or fine dining menus.
Visit our outdoor patio.
Fabulous Lunch Menu 11:30 a.m. daily (Summer only)
Dinner - Open 5 p.m.
Open 7 days a week
Hwy. 93 Radium Hot Springs, B.C. www.OldSalzburgRestaurant.com info@oldsalzburgrestaurant.com
Steve and Lori Laddas, Owners
For Reservations Call
250.347.6553
Show and Shine stands out By Breanne Massey
The sight of the Columbia Valley Classic 29th Annual Show and Shine will make your heart rev and roar. On Friday, September 14th, registration for the ever-popular classic car show will be accepting entries for this year’s annual event between 7 and 10 p.m. at the new community centre in Radium Hot Springs. This year’s showcase is takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 15th at the Radium Springs Golf Course driving range. “It’s great getting to meet all the new people and seeing what everybody has to show off,” said Columbia Valley Classics Car Club president and event spokesperson Vicki Roberts. “It’s always nice to see what people take pride in.” The daylong celebration will kick-off with a pancake breakfast on Saturday, which is being hosted by the Photo by Katie Watt Radium Hot Springs firefighters. Show and Shine 2018 includes live music by the Blues Brothers band on both Friday evening’s registration as well as during the event on Saturday, a 50-50 draw and a wide variety of food trucks on site. There will also be a donation box for attendees to drop-off non-perishable food items for the Columbia Valley Food Bank. An unsanctioned cruise into Invermere at 4 p.m. will wrap up the Saturday festivities, along with a dance at the Invermere Curling Club between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. for those interested in a night out on the town. The dance will feature live music by valley
Calgary-based Rewind Band. The annual event is the valley’s biggest gathering of car aficionados. Their best fleet of classic vehicles is always great Photo by Katie Watt entertainment for the community, and not surprisingly the cars show grows larger each year. Typically the event yields up to 1,000 cars (a big increase from the 75 at the first show) and has continually captured the hearts and minds of this small Kootenay community and its visitors. Entries range from muscle cars to hot rods, pick-up trucks and even a few imports on site.Visit www.radiumcarshow. Photo by Katie Watt com for more.
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Downtown Invermere lights up each year with the annual Santa Parade. Photo by Dayle Denton
Wine enthusiasts welcome By Dauna Ditson
Photos by Lizzie Midyette
Viticulture devotees, vintners and vino will once again come together this fall in one of the valley’s premier soirees. The annual East Kootenay Wine Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort returns for a 17th edition on November 2nd and 3rd, to the delight of locals and visitors alike, be they serious oenophiles or beginners curious to know the difference between chablis and chardonnay. While most wine festivals take place in big cities or in wine country, the East Kootenay Wine Festival brings wineries and enthusiasts together in an unexpected area of the country. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort director of sales and marketing Nancy Hetherington says it is gratifying to offer guests “the opportunity to experience an event of this magnitude that would typically only be available in a larger centre.” Nancy says the event sells out each year, and that guests enjoy the experience so much that they keep coming back. “It has become a tradition for a lot of non-valley residents,” she says, adding that participants travel from across the province and across the prairies to partake in the festival. The event is also popular with locals who appreciate the opportunity to taste wines that aren’t available in the valley, valley
wines that are only available in limited quantities, and wines that otherwise aren’t available to the public, she says. The main tasting event includes a bouquet of more than 200 wines with a variety of red, white, dessert and fruit offerings available. Approximately 50 wineries will be represented at the event, which is so large it fills four banquet rooms and splashes over into the hotel lobby. “Festival goers appreciate the large selection of wine, the vast array of gourmet hors d’oeuvres, the camaraderie, the entertainment and the welcoming atmosphere,” says Nancy. “Each room is filled with energy and it increases throughout the course of the evening.” The weekend includes a five-course wine-paired dinner on the Friday evening, wine seminars on Saturday afternoon,VIP access to the main tasting event on Saturday evening. For more information visit fairmonthotsprings.com or call 1-800-663-4979 ext. 1.
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October 2nd Love it Live Music Series at Pynelogs. Andrea Superstein (jazz). Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
October – April Cinefest Film Series at Pynelogs. Top Canadian and international films on the big screen. Dates & films TBA. Visit columbiavalleyarts. com
October 5th – June 7th Fresh Fridays Youth Open Mic Night. Monthly on the first Friday of the month. Music starts 7 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
October - May Windermere Valley Museum winter hours begin. Noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Visit windermerevalleymuseum.ca
October 5th - 8th Thanksgiving Celebrations at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com
October TBA Bavin Glassworks Annual Thanksgiving Show. Visit bavinglass.com for details
October 6th 2nd annual Turkey Trot fun run. Visit radiumhotsprings.com/events
October TBA Annual Ski Swap. Columbia Valley Centre. Sale at noon. Drop off gear to be sold from 9 to 11 a.m. Call 250-342-3819
FALL
OCTOBER
October 6th - 12th Client photos become artist creations at Artym Gallery. Client photographers in attendance noon – 2 p.m. on October 6th October 13th - 14th Link to Rink. A curling and golf tournament. Visit curlinginvermere. ca
October or November TBA Poutine Palooza. Restaurants go head to head to create the best tasting poutine in Valley. Week long event. Visit InvermereEvents. ca
October 13th Yuk Yuk’s On Tour stand up comedy 9 p.m. Horsethief Pub. Visit horsethiefpub.ca/events
NOVEMBER November 2nd - 4th 5th Annual Headbanger Festival. Bighorn Sheep workshops, activities and presentations. Visit radiumhotsprings.com/events November 3rd 17th Annual East Kootenay Wine Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. See page 15. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com November 3rd Love it Live Music Series at Pynelogs. Jake’s Gift (multi award winning play). Visit columbiavalleyarts.com November 4th- 6th Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. Horsethief Pub. Visit horsethiefpub.ca/events November 11th Remembrance Day service in Canal Flats at the Civic Centre. Service at 10 a.m. November 11th Remembrance Day service in Invermere. Formal march to Cenotaph Park at 10:30 a.m. November 11th Remembrance Day service in Edgewater. Formal march to the Cenotaph at 4 p.m.
October 14th Love it Live Music Series at Pynelogs. Ken Hamm (blues). Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
November 24th – December 24th “The Big Show of Little Paintings” featuring all gallery artists. Artist event 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. November 24th. Visit artymgallery. com
October 26th Burlesque Halloween Howler 3. Horsthief Pub. Visit horsethiefpub. ca/events
valley
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November 24th Invermere Light Up and Santa Claus Parade. Snowball Drop, pictures with Santa, holiday shopping, live music, fire pits. Email events@invemere.net November 24th Winter Season opens at Panorama Mountain Resort. Visit panoramaresort.com. November 28th Holiday Nights and Winter Lights. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Photos with Santa, Christmas Market and winter lights display. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com November 29th Love it Live Music Series at Pynelogs. Sultans of String (Christmas Caravan). Visit columbiavalleyarts.com November 30th – December 1st 26th Annual Big Christmas Craft Sale. Location TBA. Entry fee goes to Sonshine Children’s Centre in Invermere. Call 250-342-1475 November TBA Ladies Annual Bonspiel and (separately) Junior Bonspiel. Visit curlinginvermere.ca November - March Winter in Motion Festival. A celebration of winter in the valley. Visit TheColumbiaValley.ca.
DECEMBER December 2nd Feed the Town. Free holiday feast at Copper Point Golf Club. Food bank donations accepted
January 12th Kinsmen snow golf tournament. Lake Windermere. Contact steve@ thelocalview.ca January 18th Snowflake Festival and Taste of the Valley at Kinsmen Beach Invermere. Live music, food sampling, skating and more. Fireworks at 8 pm. Visit InvermereEvents.ca
December 8th, 15th and 22nd Visit Santa’s Cabin at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for a photo with Santa, hot chocolate, candy canes and cookies. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com
December 31st Village of Radium Hot Springs Birthday and New Year’s Celebration, 3 - 7 p.m. Fireworks at 6 p.m. Visit radiumhotsprings. com.events
December 9th Radium Fire Department Annual Children’s Christmas Party. Radium Fire Hall. Games and a visit from Santa. Visit radiumhotsprings.com/ events
December 31st Free karaoke. Horsethief Pub. Visit horsethiefpub.ca/events
January 26th Kinsmen ice fishing derby. Lake Windermere. Contact steve@ thelocalview.ca
December TBA 5th Annual Tree of Lights. Visit hospicesocietycv.com
January 26th - 27th Nipika/ Toby Creek Nordic Loppet weekend. Visit nipika.com/loppet
December TBA Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club Learn to Ski at Nipika Mountain Resort. No charge for members. Classic ski on Saturday. Skate ski on Sunday. Visit tobycreeknordic.ca.
January 27th Love it Live Music Series at Pynelogs. BMC Organ Trio (blues/soul/swing). Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
December 24th The 36th Annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks on Christmas Eve at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Family Ski Area. Starts at 5:30 p.m. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com. December 25th Free Soak or Swim on Christmas Day in the hot pools at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with food or cash donation to Columbia Valley Food Bank. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com December 25th Radium Feastival. A Village Christmas Dinner Visit radiumhotsprings.com/events December 31st New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Panorama Mountain Resort. A torchlight ski parade and firework. Visit panoramaresort.com/events December 31st New Year’s Eve fireworks Display at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort lodge, starting at 9 p.m.
December TBA Invermere Curling Club presents the One-Day Turkey Spiel. More info at curlinginvermere.ca or call 250-342-3315. December – March Syndicate & Rockstar Rail Jam Series at Panorama. Skiers and snowboarders. See panoramaresort.com/events
JANUARY January 5th Kinsmen Christmas tree pickup January 12th Locals’ Day at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski Hill. Ski all day for a toonie. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com valley
January 19th Yuk Yuks on Tour stand up comedy. Horsethief Pub. Visit horsethiefpub. ca/events
January TBA Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Invermere. Fundraiser for the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club. Visit tobycreeknordic.ca January TBA B.C. Pond Hockey Championships. Lake Windermere off Kinsmen Beach. Columbia Valley Rockies fundraiser. Visit TheColumbiaValley. ca January TBA Dragon Tail Loppet at Panorama. Visit panoramaresort.com/events
FEBRUARY February 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd The 35th Annual Starlight Challenge every Friday night at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski
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February 23rd Nipika Cross River Ripper Winter Fat Bike Race. Race on groomed winter fat bike trails (5 km, 10 km. 20 km). See page 18. Visit nipika. com February TBA Annual Puppy Love fundraiser presented by Fire Vixen Tattoos. All proceeds from tattoos go to Global Animal Lovers to help with animal rescue efforts. Call 250-342-8844 February TBA Annual Wild Game Dinner and Dance presented by the Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club. Visit lwdrodgun.com February TBA Annual Steel Skins Bonspiel. Invermere. Visit curlinginvermere.ca
MARCH March 1st - 3rd 6th annual Invermere Coffee Fest. Celebrating coffee and tea culture. Workshops, expo, sampling, coffee are contest and more. Visit InvermereEvents.ca March 8th International Women’s Day potluck. Pynelogs Cultural Centre. 6 to 9 p.m. All women and girls welcome March 8th Love it Live Music Series at Pynelogs. Slocan Rambler (bluegrass). Visit columbiavalleyarts.com March TBA High Notes Music Festival. Panorama Mountain Resort. Visit panoramaresort.com March TBA Kootenay Freestyle Classic. Panorama Mountain Resort. BC Freestyle event, includes moguls and slopestyle. Visit panoramaresort.com/events
WINTER/Spring
January 18th - 20th Bonspiel on the Lake at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere. Largest outdoor curling bonspiel in Canada. See page 19. Visit curlinginvermere.ca
Area. Adult ski race series. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com
Photo by Dauna Ditson
Winter wheels get turnin’ at Cross River Ripper
By James Rose
Not so long ago, the first snowfalls in late autumn heralded the end of mountain biking season, time for even die-hard enthusiasts to hang their prized steeds up in the garage to hibernate until spring. These days, however, the early blizzards signal the time to switch from a standard mountain bike to a fat tire one. With winter fat tire biking exploding in popularity in the valley (and right across the continent) it was only a matter of time before a local fat bike race was set up. No surprise that Nipika Mountain Resort, in conjuction with Columbia Cycle and Ski, was the organization to get the wheels turning on such an event, hosting the first-ever Cross River Ripper this past February. So much frosty fun was had that the resort team is already pumping the tires for the second annual edition of the race on February 23rd, 2019. “Last year was such a success that we decided pretty quickly that we were going to host the event again,” said chief of course Steve Wilson. “The course is a fast, flowy, rolling trail and for each participant a ton of fun.” The race winds through both Nipika’s fat bike trails — which are singletrack and groomed specifically for fat bikes — and its cross-country ski trails. “The ski trails allow racers enough room to make a pass and the fat bike/single track portions are fast and make rac-
ers feel like they’re riding summer trails,” says Steve, adding the resort is planning more dedicated fat bike trails which may result in a new and improved course for the next Cross River Ripper. Riders leave in a staggered mass start, participating in different age categories and in distance categories of five kilometres, 10 kilometres or 20 kilometres. “Racers must have tires with a size of 3.8 and bigger and no E bikes. Other then that it’s just go out and have fun,” says Steve. A family-friendly barbecue (included with registration) and awards ceremony follow the race. Many people bring their families out for the day or weekend, with those not racing spending their time taking advantage of Nipika’s winter network of 25 kilometres of groomed fat bike trails, 50 kilometres of classic and skate skiing trail, Mt. Sledmore for tobogganing, and an abundance of separate snowshoe trails. For more information on the race visit nipika.com/fatbike.
Photos by Steve O’Shaughnessy valley
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Throwing stones on a lake of dreams By Eric Elliott
Photos by Katie Watt
Each winter, curlers from all over the country, and indeed the continent, gather on the frozen reaches of Lake Windermere just off Kinsmen Beach for what’s become one of the largest and most popular outdoor curling events in North America — Invermere’s Bonspiel on the Lake. Now going into its 36th year, the annual Bonspiel on the Lake offers the rare opportunity for curlers to really take the sport back to its roots: throwing rocks on the frozen waters (“throwing” is the technical term curlers use to describe the action of sliding a curling stone across a rink). Diehard curlers and newbies keen to live out what to them is the ultimate Canadian dream come from every nook and corner of British Columbia, Alberta and even from south of the border. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and even non-curling participants easily get caught up in the spirit of the event, watching smiles crack across bundled faces as curlers trade mitten-slapping high-fives after great shots. Each year the bonspiel varies in the amount of teams competing, with organizers getting as many registered as possible, and almost all are left with lifelong memories when the weekend is over. Currently the largest tournament held to date was capped at 64 teams, a level of participation organizers are expecting to reach again during the 2019 tournament, which will be held from January 18th to 20th this coming winter. The bonspiel targets curlers of all experience or skill levels. Although there is a trick to being a valley
good curler and knowing all of the skills required to throw a good rock, the sheer unpredictability of the outdoor ice offers surprises that even an Olympic level curler would find challenging. “Curling is really fun because you never know what’s going to happen,” organizer Judy Dow says. “If they have vehicles on the lake and one drives by and the ice shifts, your rock can do a lot of different funny things.” When it comes to nightly entertainment, with fireworks and other events such as the Snowflake Festival happening in conjunction with the bonspiel each year, there’s never a shortage of things to do once the last rock has been thrown. “Being outside is just amazing,” says Judy. “You’re out there on the ice, the cook shack is out there, you can smell the burgers cooking, it’s great. It’s the way curling was invented — out on the lake.” Lantern lighting gives night and, yes, early morning (some games go to 1 a.m.) play a special atmosphere, and highlights that the bonspiel is — for both participants and spectators — more than just an event. It’s an experience.
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May TBA Lil Peeps Art Show at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Featuring the creative and fun art from the children of the child care centers throughout the Columbia Valley. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com. May TBA Rocky Mountain Rally. On backroads around the valley. Downtown Invermere car display on Friday night. Visit rockymountainrally.com
WINTER/SPRING
APRIL April 2nd - 27th Art From the Heart Art Show featuring more than 700 pieces of art from elementary school kids from the valley. Pynelogs, daily 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com April 6th Annual Fire & Ice Festival. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com April 19th- 21st Easter Eggstravaganza at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Easter egg hunt, basket decorating, campfires and brunch. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com April 21th Invermere Easter celebration. Details TBA. Email events@ invermere.net April 27 7th Annual Butterfly Gala. Fine food, fabulous music, and silent, live, bucket list and dessert auctions. Visit hospicesocietycv. com April TBA Super Hero Sun Fest and Slush Cup at Panorama Resort. Visit panoramaresort.com/events April TBA Annual Distillery Festival. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Sample spirits from B.C.’s best craft distilleries. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com
May TBA Annual Pooch Plunge. Bring your furry friends for a swim at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and help raise funds animal charities. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com
MAY May 4th - 5th 3rd annual lawnmover races and chili cookoff. Downhome Kootenay fun at the East Kootenay’s only full-tilt ride-on lawnmower speedster event. Canal Flats. See page 21. Contact info@theflatsrv. coM
May TBA Panorama Hare Scramble. Dirt bike event. Visit wvdr.ca/events or visit panoramaresort.com/events May TBA Turn Copper into Gold golf tournament. Copper Point Golf Club
May 6th - 12th Wings Over the Rockies Festival. Weeklong festival with more than 100 high quality, creative and informative nature-centric events. Activities include guided nature walks, river floats, hikes and much more. See page 22. Visit wingsovertherockies.org
JUNE May 31st - June 3rd Canal Days in the Village of Canal Flats. Annual multi-day celebration that includes themed parade, live music, community dances and more. Visit TheColumbiaValley.ca
May 6th - 12th Wings Over the Rockies Festival Art Show. Pynelogs. Featuring a variety of art celebrating the Columbia Valley and evirons. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com
June 1st - 30th Windermere Valley Museum in Invermere starts June hours. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit windermerevalleymuseum.ca
May 25th Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run at Nipika Mountain Resort. Family friendly single track run (1.5 km, 3 km, 5 km, 10 km, 25 km distances. Visit nipika.com
June 21st or June 22nd National Aboriginal Day celebrations at Shuwsap Indian Band. Details TBA
May 26th Annual Kootenay Krusher Mountain Bike Race. Nipika Mountain Resort (with Columbia Cylce). Distances from 1.5 km (strider bike) to 50 km. Visit nipika.com
valley
June 22nd Indigenous Cultural Festival. Lakeshore Resort. Visit lakeshoreresortcampground.ca
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June TBA 8th Annual East Kootenay Beer Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort ski area. More than 70 brews to sample, live music. Visit fairmonthotsprings.com June TBA Radium Days and Brits Best Classic Car & Motorbike Show. Radium Hot Springs. Parade, games, kids zone and classic cars. Visit radiumhotsprings.com June TBA Annual Branch Out Bike Tour. 100-kilometre annual charity ride starting at Panorama. Visit branchoutfoundation.com June TBA Annual Hike the Hoodoos for Hospice. Visit hospicesocietycv. com June TBA REACH: David Thompson Secondary School Art Show at Pynelogs featuring out-there art from local high school students. Visit columbiavalleyarts.com June TBA Annual Mountain of Hope Gala at Chopper’s Landing at Panorama. Silent auction, cocktails, dinner. Email mountainofhopesociety@ gmail.com June - September Invermere Farmers and Artists Market in Downtown Invermere. Outdoor market every Saturday from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Delectable treats, organic produce, live music. Visit invermerefarmersmarket.net June - September Lake water quality testing. Join the boat crew on Tuesday mornings to test the health of Lake Windermere. Visit lakeambassadors.ca June TBA - October 19th annual Radium Hot Springs Glass Art Show and Sale. Radium Hot Springs pool lobby in Kootenay National Park. Free entry. Visit pc.gc.ca/kootenay
Blazin’ blades back in the Flats By James Rose
Photos by Nikki Fredrikson
A new event that has quickly become a cult classic in the Columbia Valley is already revving into high gear (and adjusting its blade height higher) for next spring. On Cinco de Mayo (the weekend of May 4th and May 5th) 2019, the third annual outdoor chili cook-off and lawnmower races are set to take place in Canal Flats. The event, which not only embraces but also outright exalts the colourful down-home character of the Flats, has been a soaring success. When it began in 2017, organizers were unsure anybody would turn up. But turn up they did, by the hundreds, and it’s only grown since. The action gets underway with the chili cook-off at noon as participants dish up their best version of a downright downhome culinary classic. “The only rule for the chili cook off is no electricity,” says organizer Kelly Kask. “Participants will need to use an open flame for their con carne creations.” At 4 p.m. a bell will ring, signalling the end of the allocated cooking time. At that point contestants will be asked to leave their creation for a couple of hours while the day’s other main event takes place — lawnmower racing for the young and old. Yes diehard mow-heads, this is your chance. If for the past two years you’ve watched on the sidelines as lawnmowers of all shapes went mano-a-mano, perhaps the third time will be the charm for you. And youngsters pay heed, this spring was the event added a specific youth division race. As in years past, the course will feature rollers, hairpins, straight stretches, and an S-curve. “For this event the only rules are lawnmowers can’t have blades and contestants must wear helmets,” says Kelly. Barriers will be set up along the course giving spectators the chance to get as close as possible without losing a toe. Immediately following the lawnmower race (scheduled to valley
finish at 6 p.m.), chili contestants will find out how well their concoctions fared against the rest of the field. “Celebrity judges will judge the best chili and then award some really whacked-out trophies to those deserving,” says Kelly. This coming year the event will become more of a weekend affair, with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.Visitors can camp out and catch all the action. The races and cook-off are both free to enter. For more information contact the Flats RV and Campground at info@theflatsrv.com or 250 -270-0838.
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Festival celebrates natural bounty By Victoria Klassen
Photos by Kristin McCauley
Birds, bees, bats, bears and bedrock geology are just a few of the event themes running through the ever-popular annual Wings Over the Rockies Festival. The nature-centric festival, held each spring to coincide with the migration of countless bird species that use the Columbia River Wetlands as a stopover, has had nature-loving visitors and locals aflutter and a-flap with delight for more than two decades. The event began in 1997, when a group of local conservationists joined up to launch the week-long extravaganza, which will be back again in 2019 for its 23rd iteration from May 6th through 12th. Its growth has been nothing short of exponential, catapulting from a three-day festival focused on birds to a seven-day festival with more than 100 events. From bird watching, to learning about wildfire and forest ecology, to wetlands walks, there is something for everybody. The events are spread out from Cranbrook to Golden, with some field trips high up in the mountains and others that involve getting out on the water. The 180-kilometre Columbia River Wetlands stretching from Invermere to Golden, in which many of the festival events occur, earned official recognition from the Ramsar Convention (an international treaty on the conservation of wetlands) in 2005 as a globally important site. While all of the events are family friendly, the festival
valley
also hosts a one-day free children’s festival. Many of the festival presenters participate in interactive educational activities with the children. The Wings Over the Rockies’ most popular events are often those that involve the year’s keynote speaker, says Wings Over the Rockies event director Jami Scheffer. In May 2018 the keynote speaker was professor Suzanne Simard, who spoke to the audience about her research on tree roots and networks. Jami encourages interested participants to check for the event lineup in March 2019, and to be ready to sign up for the events the day registration opens. More than half of the events sell out within the first hour. The profit from Wings Over the Rockies Festival goes to local education and conservation initiatives. “We base our festival on a three-legged stool: education, conservation and economy. Those are our three foundations,” says Jami. “Education of the public on protection of our area; conservation to protect our area and everything that’s in it; and economy, bringing people to our valley who are spending money—to find accommodation, to eat out, to participate in some of our adventure companies.”
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Relax, it’s time to unwind. Contributed by Nancy Smith Your journey to a more peaceful, stress-free state of mind starts here. There is a great divide between the stress and strain of city life, and the true peace and harmony we humans need to relax and unwind. Actually, they call it the Great Divide, a mountain range that separates the Columbia Valley from urban life. On one side there is the office, the noise, the deadlines, the traffic and all the insanity of the city. And on the other there is all the time, rest and relaxation in the world.You just arrived at the gateway to it. Welcome to the Columbia Valley.We offer view after stunning view, and the friendliest locals who want to make your visit the best. Be sure to check our website www.travelcolumbiavalley. com or follow our Facebook page @travelcolumbiavalley for the latest updates on events, activities and experiences to make your visit memorable. It’s time to unwind.
Photo by Katie Watt
Think. Do. Become. Over 100 part-time, and online classes.
evening
Go to cotr.bc.ca/ConEd for full course listing. Call our Invermere Campus today
250-342-3210
Open Daily year-round for lunch, dinner, and late night drinks LIVE MUSIC • EVERY MONDAY AT 7 P.M. KARAOKE • EVERY THURSDAY
Kitchen open late!
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2 patios with lots of outdoor seating
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