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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is in partnership with FestivalSeekers Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
I stepped through the doors of the Billy Barker Days office in Quesnel and I was suddenly transported back to being an adventurous 10 year old hopping out of our family’s camper van in the middle of a road trip. The Billy Barker Days logo, posters, and buttons jogged my memory: I have been here before! The recognizable depiction of “Billy” and the recollection of my old button collection led me to this conclusion.
For over 40 years, the parade, fireworks, business decorating, free entertainment and costumes have been a part of this free community festival that is accessible and open to all. While I was in tostwn on assignment for FestivalSeekers, I had a grand old time channeling Billy Barker himself when I went panning for gold on the Quesnel River with a modern day prospector, Clair Schmidt of Grubstake Gold Adventures.
“Look for flat rocks and black sand,” Schmidt old me as we arrived on a river sandbar with Highway 97 traffic whizzing by on the bridge above us. We were in the heart of Quesnel, and I may have been carrying on iPhone to take photos and video, but in a few moments we’d be transported to another time.
He explained that the magnetic iron (black sand) is heavy and it comes together with gold since they’re about the same weight. He dug a few quick holes in the sand that was covered by smooth stones, and poured each load into a pan for each of us to work with. Before we began the next step, he advised: “Always fill in the hole because you don’t want caribou falling in there and breaking an ankle!” Continue reading…»
It was so much fun to be in Quesnel and not only hear about Billy Barker Days this year, which sounds amazing, but experience part of the area’s heritage while gold panning. I highly recommend you plan a visit, and spend some time in this Northern BC city.
While You’re in Quesnel
Start your day with coffee at Granville’s in the heart of Downtown Quesnel, it’s a very popular spot! From there, you can walk part or all of the 11km Riverwalk path along the scenic Fraser River.
After a walk, grab lunch and sip some local craft beer at Barkerville Brewing. In the afternoon, head over to the Quesnel Museum where there are industry displays, family artifacts, a phenomenal archival photo collection from CD Hoy, and … Mandy the haunted doll!
When you’re ready for dinner and to rest your head do so in style when you book your stay at the Billy Barker Casino Hotel. I was setup in the super glam Hollywood Suite during my visit.
Finally, end your night with some live music at The Occidental, where they have live shows and local local Barkerville beer on tap.
As we’re starting to develop and savour Canadian cuisine, the cocktail scene is ramping up as well, celebrating our country through custom craft spirits that are shaken and stirred with our great nation (and its locally-sourced ingredients) in mind. Here are a couple of Canadian cocktails to try this Canada Day around Vancouver:
Left: Vancouver TheatreSports’ offerings; Top Middle: Newark from UVA; Bottom Middle: Canadian Fix from Reflections; Right Top: Rocky Mountain Caesar; Right Bottom: L’Abbatoir’s A Mari Usque Ad Mare.
Canadian Fix
Order Here:Reflections: The Garden Terrace
(inside Rosewood Hotel Georgia 801 West Georgia, Vancouver) What Is It: Canadian whisky, simple syrup, crushed blackberries (seeds removed), 2-3 fresh blackberries and a lemon garnish.
The Double-Double
Order Here:Vancouver TheatreSports’ Neil Macrae Bar & Lounge
(1502 Duranleau St, Granville Island) What Is It: A summer refresher referencing another popular iconic Canadian beverage. However, unlike its namesake, this one packs a punch featuring Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua with a splash of Van Gogh Espresso Vodka served over ice
The All Canadian
Order Here:Vancouver TheatreSports’ Neil Macrae Bar & Lounge
(1502 Duranleau St, Granville Island) What Is It: Crafted from Maple Crown Royal Whisky, Canada Dry Ginger Ale with a dash of bitters – pure maple love in a glass
Rocky Mountain Caesar
Order Here:YEW
(inside the Four Seasons, 791 W Georgia St, Vancouver) What Is It: YEW’s own Jessica Hoffman has created a tasty twist on the most Canadian of cocktails with a smoky Caesar featuring Canadian Club Whiskey, Clamato, with an intensely flavoured blend of adobo peppers, maple syrup, olive juice, lime and, of course, bacon.
A Mari Usque Ad Mare
Order Here:L’Abattoir
(217 Carrall St, Vancouver) What Is It: Inspired by the Canadian national motto – A Mari Usque Ad Mare (Sea to Sea) – this complex cocktail takes its inspiration from both east and west coast traditions. A contemporary Canadian twist on the classic Vieux Carré cocktail, the patriotic concoction features an herbaceous and aromatic blend of rum, whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters made from sour cherries and Haskap berries from the Okanagan.
Newark
Order Here:UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar
(900 Seymour St, Vancouver) What Is It: UVA’s Newark cocktail takes its name from the first provincial capital of Ontario (now known as Niagara-on-the-Lake) when it was first claimed in 1791. Inspired by one of the country’s greatest fruit growing regions, Bar Manager Sabrine Dhaliwal mixes apple tea syrup, lemon juice and peach bitters to create a frothy, citrus-forward libation worthy of its namesake. And addition of maple syrup gives the drink a splash of True North sweetness.
Bonus: $5 Caesars
Order Here: All Flying Pig locations
Yaletown (1168 Hamilton); Gastown (102 Water); Olympic Village (127 W 2nd) What Is It: The Flying Pig’s dirty Caesar with Sriracha celery and olives. Just $5 all day on Canada Day, July 1st.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is sponsored by The Loden HotelPlease review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
For the second year, The Loden Hotel is on the lookout for someone who knows the ins and outs of beautiful Vancouver. Do you know a secret order at a local restaurant? A special outdoors spot? An unknown cocktail hideaway? They want to hear it, and you could win big!
Loden Best Insider Contest
How to Enter: Tag your insider tips on Instagram and Twitter with #LodenConcierge, or on Facebook by tagging their page @LodenHotel. There are just a few days left! Entries close on June 30, 2017 so be sure to enter today.
Win Your Way Into The Halo Penthouse at The Loden Hotel
What You Can Win: A chance to win a stay at the Loden’s Halo Penthouse, with 1400 square feet of wraparound patio and sweeping views of Coal Harbour and the North Shore mountains. The winner will gain access to the Loden’s boutique amenities, including a WanderFit experience for two and a dinner for two at Tableau Bar Bistro. The winner will also be awarded a $1,000 honorarium.
Win Your Way Into The Halo Penthouse at The Loden Hotel
Use #LodenConcierge or tag their page @LodenHotel on Facebook with your top Vancouver tips. What to eat, what to see, where to play, all of that good stuff.
What would be at the top of my own list? I’d have to go with our city’s crown jewel: Stanley Park. However, I’m not just talking about the Seawall. I actually have 3 blog posts about some of my favourite trails, where John and I rarely even run into another person even on a sunny day!
We love going for a walk along the 27km of mulch and gravel trails, finding trees wider than our reach, spotting local wildlife and migratory birds, stopping at Stanley’s Bar and Grill for some refreshments, and perhaps even stopping by to see the God Head. I’ve been sworn to secrecy and cannot publicy share its location but I’d be happy to give the winner of the #LodenConcierge some directions:
Kicking off the month with some amazing Canada 150 and Canada Day events, the rest of July is sizzling with summer fun. Miss604 is proud to sponsor Surrey Canada Day as well as the Surrey Fusion Festival. Read about these events and more below:
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green. This list is updated often so send in your event listing anytime – for free – and check back often to plan your week.
It’s a great big birthday party for our country, from coast to coast, to coast! Every community will be celebrating Canada Day in their own way, especially for the milestone Canada 150+ year. If you’re looking for family-friendly fun, free* activities, and fireworks, check out this big list of events around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley July 1 & 2, 2017.
Canada Day Events
Downtown Vancouver
Canada Day at Canada Place July 1st 9:45am to 10:50pm with fireworks & July 2nd 8:30am to 6:30pm with parade
*Not all events listed are free of charge, but many are. Click the links for full event information, and admission fees/pricing at the venues and on their websites will apply.
