Griz Days 2014

Sch e Ins dule ide

Welcome to 2014

Fernie’s Winter Festival

February 28 to March 2 Brought to you by THE FREE PRESS

The Free Press ~ March 2014

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

THE FREE PRESS

Welcome to the 2014, 37th Annual

Griz Days Festival The biggest and the best Winter Festival Griz Days 2014 Wild & Spirited Mountain Culture

G

riz Days is Fernie’s largest festival of the year and celebrates our love of winter and all things snowy!

Staged around the mythical legend of a giant mountain man and his powder musket, the festival welcomes everyone to enjoy a weekend of events, activities and entertainment in picture-perfect downtown Fernie and at Fernie Alpine Resort, all held beneath a backdrop of breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery.

Featuring non-stop excitement, the festival has something for the whole family and your best friends

Griz Days 2014 Commit tee members, back row left to right: Rebecca Hal Cutts, Rachael Fitzios, l, Evelyn Karen Tse. Front row left to right: Sharon Swi Horton. Missing: Sarah tzer, Andrea Parry, Committee Cha ir, Tammy Ogden, Tan Kelly Johnston and Van ya Malcolm, essa Croome

too! Live music, a downtown parade, fireworks, CP Station Square street party, Commit 2 Pain Rail Jam, craft fair, pancake breakfast, ‘Most Wanted’ Griz jail, street hockey tournament at Park Place Lodge, a family dance, Raging Elk Hostel dummy downhill, Extreme Griz competition and many more activities will attract crowds all weekend long! Incredible support from local businesses, individuals, community groups and civic organizations along with an amazing volunteer team blend together to make this a fantastic event for all to enjoy.

2014’s theme returns Griz Days to its traditional

roots.

Honouring our wild surroundings, our warm and lively spirit and everything that goes into creating real, authentic mountain culture, we invite you to join us this year for the best festival yet.

Celebrate, sponsor, participate, support community never looks so good as when everyone pulls together.

Join us February 28 to March 2 for #GrizDays2014!

City Hall 501-3rd Avenue, Fernie 250.423.6817 www.fernie.ca

Join us February 28th to March 2nd for Griz Days 2014 DON’T MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN! * Live Music & Concessions * Griz Days Craft Fair * Extreme Griz Competition * Baby Griz Crawl * Street Hockey

Join our owner advantage rewards program and receive free oil changes, plus for every dollar spent, you earn 5% reward dollars to be used toward future parts purchase or service visits.

This program open to all makes and models.

671 Second Ave Fernie 250.423.3650 1492 Hwy 3, Fernie • 250-423-9211

Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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Come and Experience a Legend February 28th, March 1st and 2nd, 2014!

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s the legend goes, a baby boy was born back in the year 1879 in the midst of a cruel and bitter winter. It is said that the baby was born in a grizzly bear’s cave high in the mountains.

Sometime later the resident bear awoke, mean and ravenously hungry. A terrible battle ensued between the two - one fighting for his life and the other for his dinner.

Well folks, as the story continues the town’s people went into the mountain the very next day to discover the source of all the noise from the previous night. They looked high and low on the mountain then known as Snow Valley. Once one of the men thought he saw a little boy wearing a bear coat and hat nimbly leaping from rock to rock on the lofty peaks. His friends all laughed at him and jokingly accused him of seeing

things and the incident was soon forgotten.

Just recently some of our avid ski-tourers were ascending the peaks above the resort area in the midst of a heavy snow storm. While taking a short breather, they happened to glance upward upon the peak they were climbing. There on the very summit stood the most fantastic sight. While of standard height, this man had shoulders six feet wide and carried an enormous musket eight feet long! The bulk of this man’s 300 lbs. was made to look even more awesome by the bristly grizzly coat he wore. A bear hat was pulled down shadowing his eyes. As the skiers watched, he stood shooting that giant musket into the clouds and still more snow fell from the clouds. This, of course, delighted the skiers who loved that special brand of powder snow.

The skiers schussed down the mountain and excitedly told everyone they met of their experience.

Some of the town’s elders remembered the sighting of a little grizzly-clad boy so long ago and the discovery of massive bare-footed tracks high upon the snow covered peaks.

In recognition and admiration of the man who became known as “GRIZ”, the town’s people held a festival. Sporting events, competitions, parades and gatherings. To this day the festival continues every March in tribute to our powder king. The best powder and packed snow conditions in the west also continue to blanket our mountains.

Mining Keeps Communities Moving Teck’s five mines in the Elk Valley produce more than just steelmaking coal.

For generations they have supported families, helped to build communities and fostered economic growth.

Have a safe and enjoyable Griz Days 2014 and look for the Teck float in the parade.

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

THE FREE PRESS

Fernie Craft Fairs: Griz Days

F

Free Press files

ernie Craft Fairs have been a vibrant part of the community for many years. Four times a year artisans, foodies, farmers and community organizations gather at the Fernie Community Centre to show off their creative talent and wares.

One of the more unique fairs takes place during Fernie’s annual winter festival Griz Days. With the community in high spirits and the promise of spring powder a’plenty, the Griz Days Craft Fair is a popular and well-attended event among locals and visitors. Entrance to the Craft Fair is by donation with proceeds going to the local Food Bank. The Rotary Club will be selling the 2014 Griz pins at the door.

The Craft Fairs are organized by Tanya Malcolm with support from The Fernie Christian Youth Group (FCYG), who play an integral part in the

set-up and tear down, as well as offer amazing meals and snacks at the event’s concessions. The FCYG also organizes the Griz Days Community Pancake Breakfast.

The breakfast starts at 8:30 am and is by donation with all the proceeds supporting the youth group’s activities and missions.

The Fernie Chamber of Commerce organizes other events that take place at the Griz Days Craft Fair. The Extreme Griz Pancake Eating Contest as well as the Baby Griz Contest will take place on the stage of the community center. Please see the schedule of events for the times of these activities.

For more information about Fernie Craft Fairs or to book a table for future fairs, please go to www.ferniecraftfairs. blogspot.ca or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter FernieCraftFairs!

201 Fairway Drive, Fernie - 250-423-7773 Ranked #2 Public Golf Facility in British Columbia

360 Card Program

Designed to reward you for playing golf at the Fernie Golf & Country Club.

Would you like free golf and discounted merchandise? Then the 360 Card is for you!

How does it work? Receive discounted golf Sunday to Thursday, plus earn a degree for every dollar spent in the Pro Shop (excluding food & beverage).

Redeem degrees for merchandise and free rounds!

Gift package upon purchase of card and 10% discount on regular priced merchandise.

PURCHASE YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY MARCH 15 and receive five guest passes for only $ 155.00 + tax ($330.00 value)

Open 9 am to 11 pm daily 1641 7 Ave, Fernie 250-423-6522

Great Selection of Beverages

Griz Pins available here!

Open during construction

Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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Get your Griz Pin!

S

trength in collaboration - The Fernie Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce have a history of collaboration demonstrated in our community-centered approach to the distribution and selling of Griz Pins for Griz Days.

Fernie Rotary works with the Chamber to ensure that as many pins as possible are sold to raise funds for the Fernie Food Bank and community organizations Raising funds and being able to support local charities is important to Rotary and over the years tens of thousands of dollars have been raised and distributed throughout our community; the Griz Pin has played a part in this success story.

Rotary is a strong and dedicated partner with dedicated volunteers who spend many hours organizing, distributing and selling Griz Pins.

Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce share the vision of wanting to help the Fernie Food Bank through this event

and continue to work towards helping these groups accomplish their goals.

By purchasing a Griz Pin not only are you are helping to support the Fernie Food Bank but you also have a chance of to win $1,000 – good luck!

2014 Griz Pins can be purchased at the following businesses: Overwaitea, Ghostrider Trading, Gi’Ver, Freshies, Polar Peek, Post Office, Fernie Meat Market, TD Bank, Scotia Bank, Home Hardware, 7-11, Fernie Mountain Spirits, Canadian Tire and Mountain Pantry at Fernie Alpine Resort Griz Pins are also available at the Craft Fair at the Community Centre on Saturday, March 1st so come on down and join the fun!

The draw will be on Friday, March 7th and the winning number will be released by the Chamber through social media (Facebook and Twitter), The Free Press and on The Drive radio.

Emma Dressler, Rotary President Sarah Parry, Fernie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Free Press files

Mountains of toppings and an avalanche of taste

t The Difference is Taste Take-ou or Delivery

Cer Gift Ava tifica ilab tes le!

Providing “Fresh Fernie Experiences” for Over 15 Years!

Gluten Free Crust Available!

Join the Griz Days Fun February 28 to March 2

NEW WINGS & NEW FLAVOURS • Thin, Regular or Whole Wheat Crust

• Build Your Own Pizza

• 36 Toppings & 9 Sauces

Open at 4:00 pm

• Awesome Lasagna

• Salads, Wings & More...

• $12.00 Pizza Every Tuesday!

250-423-0007 Call for Daily Specials 592 - 8th Avenue, Fernie, BC

looking for fernie Visitor info online?

Visit tourismfernie.com on your computer, ipad or mobile deVice. lodging - events - dining - activities - more!

facebook.com/fernie.canada

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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ill Dummy Downh

Griz Baby Crawl The

Griz Days 2013

Griz Competition

Griz

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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The Good Ol’ Goats opening Griz Days festivities

by Tamara Hynd

G

et those boots a stomping as we warm up to the Griz Days festivities. The Good Ol’ Goats (TGOG) will be getting grizzly as they open Griz Days with a performance on the downtown stage at Friday night’s CP Station Square family friendly street party.

With youth on their side, TGOG have the energy it takes to impress the wild mountain spirit of the Griz.

Energetic blue-grass folk inflected melodies and clever nuanced lyrics could cause even the Griz to stomp his feet and dance a jig to the sweet sounds of the mandolin and a plucky banjo.

Their musical talent was reaffirmed when they won “Artists of the Year” and “Best Roots and Blues Artist” at the 2013 Kootenay Music Awards.

Submitted photo

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Street Party Friday & Saturday

Stay Downtown after the Parade for all the Fun

Refreshment Garden

Friday February 28 10 am-5:30 pm 4-7 pm 7-10 pm

The Fernie Museum Griz WizA Griz Adventure through time Timbits Hockey Tournament at the Fernie Arena - Free Admission!

CP Station Square Street Party!

(Downtown outside the Arts Station) - Live Music by Thar Be Dragons & The Good Ol’ Goats - Refreshment Garden 19+ - Concessions

Saturday March 1 7 am-7 pm 8-10 am 10 am-8 pm 10 am-5:30 pm

Timbits Hockey Tournament at the Fernie Arena Free Admission!

Christian Youth Association Pancake Breakfast at the Fernie Community Centre Fernie Arts Co-op Live Painting & DemosFree cookie with Griz Pin! The Fernie Museum Griz WizA Griz Adventure through time

Saturday March 1 10 am-4 pm

11 am-12 pm 11 am

11 am-5 pm 12 pm 12-6 pm 12:30-2:30 pm 2 pm

4 pm 4:30-6 pm

Parade

Los Morenos LIVE at CP Square Street Party Fireworks

Saturday 6:30 pm

Griz Days Craft Fair at the Fernie Community Centre Extreme Griz Pancake Eating Contest at the Fernie Community Centre ‘Bacon Spectacular’ Charity Breakfast (pancakes, bacon, ham, sausage) at The Northern- all proceeds benefit the Heart & Stroke Foundation ‘Bacon Spectacular’ Games like Plinko & Bacon Toss- prizes to be won! outside The Northern & Boardstiff on 2nd Avenue Baby Griz Crawl at the Fernie Community Centre 15th Annual Classic Canadian Street Hockey Tournament at Park Place Lodge- pre register at The Pub Extreme Griz Competition at Fernie Alpine Resort ‘Bacon Spectacular’ Best Bacon Dish/ Drink, professional & amateur categoriesoutside The Northern & Boardstiff on 2nd Avenue.

‘Bacon Spectacular’ 3 Pound Bacon Eating Challenge! $5 entry fee- pre register at The Northern or Boardstiff.

‘Bacon Spectacular’ Salute to Bacon Talent Show- outside The Northern & Boardstiff on 2nd Avenue.

live music ON THE STREET CP SQUARE Good Ol’ Goats

Saturday March 1 6:30 pm

7-10 pm

9 pm

Griz Days Parade Down 2nd Avenue. Theme- Legend of the Griz, Wild & Spirited Mountain Culture CP Station Square Street Party!

(Downtown outside the Arts Station) - Live Music by Los Morenos - Refreshment Garden 19+ - Concessions - Crowning of Extreme Griz Winner(s) - Refreshment Garden 19+ Fireworks Display!

Viewable from the Street Party

Sunday March 2 7 am-4 pm

10 am-5:30 pm 1 pm 3-4:30 pm

Saturday 9:00 pm

Timbits Hockey Tournament at the Fernie Arena- Free Admission!

The Fernie Museum Griz WizA Griz Adventure through time Raging Elk Dummy Downhill at Fernie Alpine Resort Griz Days Family Dance w/DJ Jeff at the Holy Family Centre Junior Griz Contest Finale at the family dance

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THE FREE PRESS

Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

d e t n a W Most

spital Foundation & o H y le al V k El to All proceeds ies Auxiliary ad L ge la il V n ai nt u the Rocky Mo

Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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Griz Days Most Wanted fundraiser

any people find the Griz Days Most Wanted Fundraiser a bit confusing, and rightly so! It’s puzzling to see a jail on wheels pull up on Second Avenue during business hours. Then suddenly a man with a plastic gun and phoney looking sheriff’s badge hops out onto the sidewalk and proceeds to put seemingly innocent civilians behind bars. Confusing indeed!

The Most Wanted Fundraiser is just that - a fundraiser. Each year local business people, well known citizens, or local celebrities, put their names forward to be ‘arrested’. In order for them to get out of ‘jail’ they must pay their ‘bail’ to the ‘sheriff’. Still confused?

These Most Wanted arrestees are volunteers. They collect cash for their bail (the amount of money they agreed to try and raise) from co-workers, colleagues, friends, and family in the

Free Press files

name of the charity that is set to receive the funds for that particular year. That pre-selected charity receives the full amount of funds raised - not just a

• Puzzle Scavenger Hunt • Free coffee and hot chocolate • Book Sale

Everyone welcome

492 3 Ave, Fernie (250) 423-4458

Griz Days at the Library

Chili Supper

Fundraiser

WHAT: Great Chili WHEN: Saturday, March 1 6:30-8:30 pm WHERE: Griz Days Street Party CP Station Square COST: $5 Chili & a Bun $5 Chili Taco in a Bag All proceeds to the Fernie Adult Lifeskills Program

portion or percentage - the entire amount raised from all of the Most Wanted volunteers.

This year there are two charitable

organizations set to receive the funds raised from Most Wanted. The Elk Valley Hospital Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Village Ladies Auxiliary are two deserving local charities doing a lot of good in our community.

The 2014 Most Wanted volunteers happen to be the Board of Directors of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. Our dedicated directors wanted to show their support of these deserving charities, and have some fun doing it! We’ve eliminated the physical arrest portion of this event, but you can catch the arrestees waving from behind bars in the Griz Days parade - 6:30 pm on Saturday, March 1, down Second Avenue in beautiful downtown Fernie. Give them a wave back and perhaps even a deserving high-five for their efforts!

Happy Griz Days

Happy Griz Days 2014

The Fernie Chamber of Commerce is again the proud organizer of the Griz Days Festival. By working closely with a committee of dedicated people, representing the different industries in Fernie, we were again able to incorporate a number of events into this year’s festival that showcase our winter spirit.

The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the entire Griz Days committee and volunteers, The City of Fernie, and all participating businesses & organizations for your hard work & dedication to our annual festival.

Thank you as well to all event participants and attendees!

Thanks for coming out, we hope you have a blast!!

FernieCHAMBER OF COMMERCE

102 Commerce Rd. • Fernie BC 250-423-6868 • www.ferniechamber.com

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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Griz Days parade kicks off Saturday at 6:30 pm

by Sara Moulton

K

ick off your Saturday night celebrations as the Griz himself leads a procession through downtown Fernie in the Griz Days Parade.

The 2014 theme “Legend of the Griz – Wild & Spirited Mountain Culture” will be sure to inspire a variety of entries as local community members and businesses honour the Griz during this festival highlight. The imaginative floats and skillful entertainers will delight children and adults alike as they glide down Second Avenue.

After the parade, the celebrations continue with live music, refreshments, fireworks and the crowning of the Extreme Griz at the CP Station Square Street Party near the Arts Station. Don’t miss this fun-filled night of entertainment for the whole family!

Kyle Hamilton photos

Are you Griz enough?

T

Paul McGrath photo

he Griz represents Fernie’s best qualities – fun-loving, at home in the outdoors, and someone who will do anything to get to Fernie’s fantastic powder. Every year mountain men and women from the community compete by proving their Griz Spirit in the hopes of being named Extreme Griz.

This year’s event will kick off during the Craft Fair at the Community Centre with the traditional pancake eating contest at 11 am. After chowing down, the contestants will head up to Fernie Alpine Resort for the remainder of the competition.

The events include snow shoe races, log sawing and tossing, Jeep

pulling, leg wrestling, a hockey shoot out and more. And of course, no Extreme Griz competition would be complete without a little axe throwing!

Becoming the Extreme Griz is all about embodying and embracing the values of a true mountain man or woman while showing off a strong set of survival skills. A great beard and costume helps too!

Make sure you don’t miss the chance to see this year’s crop of Extreme Griz hopefuls as they battle it out on the mountain for the coveted title. The 2014 Extreme Griz winner will be crowned following the parade at the CP Station Square Street Party on Saturday night.

Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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START YOUR

BABIES NOW

by Tamara Hynd

C

alling all crawlers, the Baby Griz Crawl is back by popular demand. This adorable event is an ode to the legend of the baby boy born in a grizzly bear’s cave high in the mountains during a cruel and bitter winter. The

crawl will take place during the craft fair on Saturday at the Fernie Community Centre. The crawl starts at noon and preregistration is not required.

Prizes from Grow will be awarded for first, second, and third place.

Painting By

Free Press files

&

Renee-Lynn

Crew

Happy Griz Days!

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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The Raging Elk Dummy Downhill

by Sara Moulton

I

f you love watching fastmoving fun while raising money for charity, then the Raging Elk Dummy Downhill is for you! Come to Fernie Alpine Resort and watch as these inventive contraptions hurtle off a giant jump by the Timber Chair.

Budding engineers dedicate their time to create a human or animal-shaped dummy that is mounted on skis or a snowboard and released down the hill. The

Tamara Hynd photos

aim? To get the biggest air, of course!

Judging for the event is based on the design, construction and creativity of the dummy as well as the distance it flies and (most importantly) the spectacle of the inevitable crash!

All funds raised by the event are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and spectators are encouraged to make a pledge of support for their favourite entry. Don’t miss this Griz Days highlight!

THE DETAILS

When: Sunday, March 2 at 1 pm Where: Fernie Alpine Resort

at the bottom of the Timber Chair

The fifteenth annual Classic Canadian Street Hockey Tournament

by Tamara Hynd

W

hat’s a Canadian winter mountain festival without hockey? The fifteenth annual Classic Canadian Street Hockey Tournament will take place at the back of Park Place Lodge on Saturday, March 1. It’s all about the glory of wining the Pub Cup. All you need is four players (adults only) per team to play in the tournament which is in an elimination format. Each team is guaranteed two games. The first puck drops at noon.

A food and refreshment garden will fuel spectators and players alike. Advanced registration is required even though it’s free, as spaces fill up fast. To register call 250-423-6871 or drop into The Pub at Park Place Lodge.

Free Press files

Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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Thank-You to the 2014 Griz Days Sponsors.

We appreciate your support.

FernieCHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Est. 1898

Koocanusa Campsite and Marina

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Griz Days ~ February 28 to March 2, 2014

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We’ve had you covered since 1898.

From the fire of 1908 to the day the ski hill opened and everything in between, we’ve always done our best to be the Elk Valley’s newspaper.

Your newspaper.

The Free Press 342 2nd Avenue • 250-423-4666 • www.thefreepress.ca

Est. 1898

Covering events throughout the Elk Valley