It’s time to get the Sharpie and the calendar out and start planning your festival season. My friends at FestivalSeekers have done all the leg work and found the best early-season festivals for British Columbia and Alberta. And I mean the best food, best trails, the best music and the best foam. Foam? Yep, read on to discover more about them all, including one squeaky clean event.
Use Peddle Power on the Chain of Events
Through the rest of May until June 3, join in on the Chain of Events to explore the South Okanagan. FestivalSeekers pulled together the list of events that all include some form of cycling. You might be cycling through vineyards in search of the perfect vino, or finding the perfect single track on the trails overlooking Naramata. Maybe you’ll don a headlamp for the guided evening tours to the darkest skies to watch the star show. No matter what, Leigh McAdam has the Chain of Events that calls out to any gearhead.
All aboard for the Pie Cruise in Waterton National Park, Alberta
Waterton National Park welcomes all foodies and nature lovers to the second annual Waterton Food Festival from May 27-June 6, 2016. The culinary event celebrates the talents of local chefs and restaurants with special events including long-table dinners and special packaged lunches to take on hikes or trail rides. It’s shaping up to be spectacular with the Pie Cruise the icing on the cake! No passports required, but you’ll be noshing pie on waters that span the USA/Canadian border. Find out more details from FestivalSeekers editor, Lisa Monforton.
A Feastival to sink your teeth into
From chowder competitions to a trail of chocolate deserts, the Nanaimo Feastival is all about local ingredients and wonderful ways to enjoy them. Over 70 vendors will woo you with their craft beer, small-batch island wines and delicious food. I had a chance to talk to last year’s chowder fest winner – and would he tell me anything about his recipe? I went on assignment for FestivalSeekers to bring you the scoop, read on to find out.
PRISMA brings music to the shores of Powell River
Thinking of Powell River you might think – pulp and paper, but think again. Or better yet, listen. June 13-25 is the annual Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy or PRISMA. The “pre-professional participating musicians come from all over the world to learn and perform. I chatted with the organizers and had my own impromptu violin solo on the beach. Was anyone impressed by my talent? I’m not sure, but you could say it was a standing ovation. Read my story and find out more about PRISMA here.
Sam Steele Days in Cranbrook is your chance to man-up or dress-up
You may remember Sam Steele from social studies in grade school. He was an imposing figure with his walrus mustache and was known for his solid character as he rode across the untamed western frontier. July 16-19, Cranbrook salutes the man with the annual Sam Steele Days where you get to man-up, sign-up, belly-up, or dress-up and have a weekend of fun. Joanne Elves explores Cranbrook so you can check out the activities here.
Finally, the undead will unite and weave through the streets of Prince George on Saturday, July 23rd, for the Prince George Zombie Festival. For all of these listings and more, sign up for the Festival Seekers newsletter and follow along on on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for more information.
A local attraction with activities for the kids, space to run around, picnic spots galore, and rare historical value — and did I mention it has a gorgeous view? South Surrey’s Historic Stewart Farm has it all but it’s still a relatively unknown gem — until now! The truth is a lot of people don’t know the family friendly historical site exists, and I’m about to change that.
Historic Stewart Farm
“We sometimes hear from people, even locals, that they have never been here,” explains Jerrilin Spence, Curator at the heritage site. “But once they come, they are always delighted and come back again. For our regulars, it is their method for getting back to basics, to take a break from the crazy of everyday modern life.”
Nestled off tree-lined Crescent Road, it’s easy to miss on your way to the popular local beach. But turn into Elgin Heritage Park and you’ll be overcome by the beauty of the 1894 farmhouse and the scenic grounds set along the Nicomekl River.
There is a moment of reflection and quiet before you hear kids laughing and running wildly, enjoying the fresh seaside air. Enter the house and you will meet costumed staff who will likely offer you cookies made on the woodburning stove.
Tour the house, walk the grounds, stroll through the heritage gardens and outbuildings, take photos, and unplug. Of course you can also upload your photos to Facebook and Instagram.
The Historic Stewart Farm hosts many events and it is just steps away from beautiful walking trails. Make sure to add it to your list of day trip destinations this summer. Not yet convinced? Here are the Top 10 Reasons to Check Out Historic Stewart Farm:
- It gives you plenty of breathing room with indoor and outdoor attractions. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights.
- It’s local – just off the Highway 99 on Crescent Road
- They have activities for kids
- You will most likely learn something new
- You can set the kids loose on the grounds
- It’s perfect for picnics
- There are great nature trails
- The photo opportunities are endless
- It’s living history with costumed guides
- Free family events!
Learn more about Historic Stewart Farm or check them out on Facebook or Twitter.
I stepped out across the front stone path in the early morning to take a photo of the impressive, luxury log home in which I slept as blissfully as a hibernating grizzly that night. Sunlight had streamed into the bedroom from behind the poplar forest at Back to Nature Retreat and I was ready to start my day bright and early.
Two of the home’s furry four-legged occupants — one a manx/calico cross and the other a fluffy white Westie — tagged along to scope out the yard. The sun was then cresting over the gabled roof, which was supported by majestic Western Red Cedar beams, and as I bent down to snap a wide angle shot of the entire abode, I was photobombed by the cat as she came in for a snuggle.
Back to Nature Retreat, Water Valley
Owners Stan and Keltie Masters have created a harmonious getaway in Water Valley, Alberta, about 1 hour north west of Calgary. To the east of Highway 22 you have farms and pastures, and to the west near Water Valley, there are green groves of trees on networks of coulees. The couple left Red Deer to follow several passions that all tie into what they love, and what they want their guests to be able to experience. Their home was built by Pioneer Log Homes (aka the Timber Kings) in 2010 and the B&B is a recent venture. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Hit the hottest places to cool down this summer as Vancouver’s outdoor pools open up for the season during the May Long Weekend.
Vancouver Outdoor Pools Open May Long Weekend
Pools at Kitsilano Beach Park, Second Beach in Stanley Park, New Brighton Park, and Hillcrest Centre will open starting May 20th with Maple Grove Pool opening Saturday, June 18th.
“Outdoor pools are cherished by residents. The Park Board is soon beginning the most ambitious review of aquatic services in the last 15 years,” says Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung.
The pools and our local beaches will be open for swimming season, with lifeguards and park rangers will be on duty daily, from Victoria Day to Labour Day. Click here for full pool schedules and swim times.
Water parks are also open this weekend (except at Lumberman’s Arch, which is undergoing repairs and will open in June). All now have push buttons to turn on the water for five minutes at a time. Follow @ParkBoard on Twitter for more info.
Yesterday Krause Berry Farms in Langley opened its doors for another season that will include U-Pick in their berry fields, their farmgate market, bakery, estate winery, restaurants and cooking school.
Krause Berry Farms
While the U-Pick isn’t quite ready yet (the berries pop up in June), you can enjoy the market, bakery and estate winery in the meantime.
The market and bakery are open now, Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and there you’ll find oven-baked breads, buns, berry pies, cookies, shortcakes, gluten free options, roasted corn pizza and other mouth watering treats made daily. When the strawberries are ready, you’ll be able to pick up a mile high pie, and a pie & shortcake rewards card cause you know you’ll be back after that first bite.
Alf Krause first planted 1 acre of strawberries in 1974. Today, Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery has expanded to over 200 acres, growing and producing some of the Fraser Valley’s best berries and vegetables. Owned and operated by Alf & Sandee Krause, their commitment to ethical and sustainable farming has resulted in loyal guests spreading the word and returning year after year.
Shop in the market for country themed gifts, decor items, and Krause’s own line of jams, jellies, preserves. They currently produce over 100 products from what they grow right on the farm in Langley. Opening this summer, the new “Fresh Family Fun Field” will have giant jumping pads, games for all ages, and agri-education mixed with family fun.
Krause Berry Farm is located at 6179-248th Street in Langley. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the latest news about what’s open, and what is fresh from the farm and ready to be enjoyed this season.
