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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is sponsored by FestivalSeekers.com Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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Extend your summer with FestivalSeekers.com by entering to win a trip to Cranbrook, BC and the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo this September. Hosting three signature cycling events, and one unique warm up event at YXC airport, the world class Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo is a biker’s dream.
Photo credit: Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
About the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
Now in its third year, the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo is becoming a much loved and anticipated event not only by cyclists but also by the host city of Cranbrook. FestivalSeekers.com writer Leigh McAdam says, “I put it right up there as one of the friendliest gran fondos, too.”
On September 12th, there are three events in which riders can participate:
Piccolo Fondo: 57 kilometres starting at the beautiful St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. Riding West 4.8 km on Mission Road, the route crosses Hwy. 95A and heads north to join the paved Rails to Trails connector to Kimberley (Aid Station at 26 km, and turn-around). Riding south on Rotary Drive to Knighton Road, riders rejoin the Rails to Trails and ride back to the St. Eugene’s Mission Golf Casino Resort.
Medio Fondo: 102 kilometres. Riding northwest 4.8 km on Mission Road, it crosses Hwy. 95A and heads north to join the paved Rails to Trails connector to Kimberley (1st Aid Station at 26 km) before continuing north along the quiet Meadowbrook Road (Hwy. 95A). At the Hwy. 95A/Hwy. 93 Junction, riders turn south crossing the Kootenay River (2nd Aid Station at 57 km) riding past Historic Fort Steele (3rd Aid Station at 80 km), before turning west at Hwy. 3 and reconnecting with Hwy. 95A to Mission Road and finishing at the St. Eugene’s Mission Golf Resort Casino.
Gran Fondo: The Gran Fondo ride is 152 kilometres. Riding west 4.8 km on Mission Road, the route crosses Hwy. 95A and heads north to join the paved North Star Rails to Trails connector to Kimberley (1st Aid Station at 26 km) before continuing north along the quiet Meadowbrook Road (Hwy. 95A). At the Hwy. 95A/Hwy. 93 Junction, riders turn south crossing the Kootenay River (2nd Aid Station 57 km) riding past Historic Ft. Steele (3rd Aid Station at 80 km), before turning east on Bull River Road. Crossing the Bull River, riders travel 25 km to the Fish Hatchery (4th Aid Station and turn around at 104 km) beneath the majestic Rocky Mountains before returning to Ft. Steele. Turning south on 93A and then left at Hwy. 3 to reconnect with Hwy. 95A to Mission Road for the final push to the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino.
Ride the Runway at Cranbrook Airport YXC
A dream of bikers in the Cranbrook area, including Tristen Chernove, Managing Director of YXC Canadian Rockies International Airport, has been to create a weeklong festival surrounding the Gran Fondo, and each year the community moves closer to that goal. For 2015, YXC is launching a one-of-a-kind opportunity called “Ride the Runway”.
“We wanted to enhance the way that the airport interacted with the community as far as amazing public access beyond just arriving and departing.” Tristen says that it seemed like a natural fit to figure out a way to engage the community in an active way, especially since he is also always out on his mountain bike.
On September 11th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, riders can take to the YXC runways to prepare for the Gran Fondo the following day. This will be a circuit race for 50 (first come, first served) Gran Fondo riders who can average a 35 km/h speed for 45 minutes over a 2km lap course on the main runway and taxi ways. All proceeds from this race will go to support the “Cranbrook to Wardner” bike/hike trail.
Photo credit: Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
“We’ve really been working hard over the last several years to have Cranbrook realize a bit more of its tourism potential,” Tristen adds that what makes the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo stand out is its stunning Rocky Mountain scenery and its variety of trails. Located in the widest part of the Columbia Valley, the area offers secondary roadways for riding (not just the highway) along with community forest land and spots for gravel grinding adventures.
Glenn Dobie, chairperson for the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, says the tarmac ride that will help draw attention to the second annual gran fondo, which helps raise funds to promote cycling in the Cranbrook to Kimberley area and other charities.
Thanks to everyone who shared their photos with the Miss604 Flickr Pool and #Photos604 on Instagram. Here are a few of my picks this week solely from Flickr, embedded using their new script (with photo credit right on the image). Enjoy!
You’ve probably heard of Dîner en Blanc by now, where 3,500 Vancouverites dress in their very best whites and attend an exclusive outdoor dining party at a surprise location filled with romance, grandeur and charm. This chic picnic, inspired by the first Dîner en Blanc in Paris 27 years ago and now held in dozens of cities around the globe, happens again in Vancouver on August 25th.
For those who haven’t received an invite to purchase a ticket, or those looking for an alternative dining experience, a pair in is organizing a more grassroots approach to the mass-dining-al-fresco event scene. Ce Soir Noir is also happening on August 25th and according to organizers, “it’s actually not fancy whatsoev.”
Ce Soir Noir at Crab Park
This is no chic-picnic. It’s actually not fancy whatsoev. It’s also free. We are here to invite you to a democratic gathering in CRAB Park on Tuesday, the 25th of August. The task at hand is simple – dress head-to-toe in your blackest clothes, grab some friends, some food and beverages, a big blanket and set yourself down for the evening for peaceful resplendence in one of Vancouver’s finest parks.”
Ce Soir Noir, created by East Van artist Graeme Berglund along with George Vergette, promises to be “an evening of a resounding positive community eating dinner together. An ad-hoc, barely-even-organized, family-friendly event.” Berglun told the Province earlier this week that that Ce Soir Noir isn’t anti-Diner en Blanc — only a tongue-in-cheek response and a different option.
You can find a full list of rules (or non-rules) posted on the event’s Facebook page but the concept is pretty simple: “All black clothing. Food. Drink. Friends. Big Blankie. Tuesday, August 25th. 5pm.”
Both of these events represent Vancouver culture and the fact that they both exist is a testament to the world-class yet community-driven city of amazing creative citizens in which we live.
Many wine lovers have thoroughly explored the popular, grape-filled and sun-soaked vineyard benches of Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos and enjoyed with their delicious wines that also fill local liquor store shelves and glasses. However, there are two BC wine areas — very close by — that are worth exploring if you’re looking for tasting rooms to visit in BC this season. While Similkameen Valley and Okanagan Falls aren’t exactly new wine regions, they just might be new to you!
Similkameen Wineries Association
Recently named one of the world’s “5 Best Wine Regions You’ve Never Heard Of“, you’ve most likely driven through the Similkameen on your way to the Okanagan.
Make no mistake however, those vineyards you spot along Highway 3 are all a part of the Similkameen Valley, which is its own distinct region, separate from the Okanagan Valley. With Keremeos known as the “fruit stand capital of Canada”, it’s no wonder it would make a great region to grow grapes as well.
There are two exceptional events that celebrate Similkameen wineries that you should put on your calendar. The Similkameen Country Christmas Winery Open House Tour in December, and the Similkameen BBQ King competition in July. This summer, 9 chefs from the region paired up with 9 wineries and competed to create the best BBQ plates using a select basket of local ingredients. Hosted at the historic Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos, you can stroll the grounds, meet winemakers, and sample the delicious creations and pairing from each chef. This year’s winner was none other than the Grist Mill’s own in-house Chef Natasha Schooten.
Follow Similkameen Wine on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their wineries, special events, and more.
Okanagan Falls Winery Association
Everyone loves our popular and world-famous Okanagan wine region, starting from Osoyoos and heading all the way up past Kelowna. If you’re traveling the distance from south to north (or north to south), be sure you stop into the Okanagan Falls wineries, located between Penticton and Oliver/Osoyoos. There you will find 13 Okanagan Falls Winery Association members:
The Okanagan Falls wine region has a unique and highly varied terroir, microclimates and natural environment, quite unlike anywhere else in the valley, enabling them produce unique high quality wines. The community is tight knit and the wineries are predominantly still family-owned. The first grape vines planted in the area date back to 1961 and it has gorgeous views of both sides of the Okanagan Valley.
The beach on the south shore of Skaha Lake was where we enjoyed the summer Party in the Park, with a BBQ cookout, wine tasting from OK Falls wineries, live music and dancing. There’s a full year-long calendar of community and wine region events to check out as well. Follow the Okanagan Falls Winery Association on Facebook and Twitter to plan your next visit.
The Richmond World Festival is a full day festival of music, food, and culture happening on Saturday, September 5, 2015. Matt & Kim, the dynamic indie dance duo from Brooklyn, will be the headliners and more acts have just recently been announced for this FREE event!
Richmond World Festival
Where Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Avenue, Richmond, BC When Saturday, September 5, 2015 from 11:00am to 9:00pm Admission FREE
Alex Cuba
Grammy and Juno award-winner, Alex Cuba is joining the main stage lineup. His smoky vocals and masterful guitar-work crosses genres and cultures, always captivating listeners.
Other confirmed festival acts performing on the YVR Mosaic Main Stage include Bhangra chart toppers, En Karma; Kata Kata Afrobeat Group; Songpati Latin Band; Purple Rain; and Roku Sichi Taiko drummers. The Global Village Stage and the Coast Capital Savings PopUp Zone will feature numerous acts throughout the day including Slavic soul band, Silver; traditional Russian ensemble, RCC Russian Balalaika Orchestra; singer/actor/musician/circus performer, Neezar; the First Nations dance troupe, Wild Moccasins; Vancouver Cantonese Opera; and Vancouver yo-yo prodigy, Harrison Lee.
Festival of Flavours
Accompanying the live music is the Festival of Flavours featuring 35 international food trucks, and the Richmond Centre Culinary Stage, featuring notable local chefs including Master Chef Canada contestant, Tammy Wood.
Other festival attractions include the Global Village, with interactive cultural activities and performances; Wide World of Sports, showcasing culturally unique sports from across the globe; Kids World, with fun and educational activities for children; World of Poetry; Artisan Marketplace and more.
The Richmond World Festival is produced by the City of Richmond. Community partners are Port Metro Vancouver, Cowell Auto Group, Richmond Centre and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Media sponsors are Global TV, the Georgia Straight, 102.7 The Peak, Z95.3, Richmond News and Miss604. For more festival news follow @FunRichmond on Twitter and #RWF2015.
Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor of the Richmond World Festival
