The Fraser River is one of B.C.’s mightiest water courses but how many people can say they know it from top to bottom?
For anyone who has been interested in the ecology of the river and the First Nations people who live along it, this year’s FraserFest is a great opportunity to explore.
This is the third annual event organized by the Rivershed Society of BC, which also runs a leadership program for youth called the Sustainable Living Leadership Program (SLLP).
Now, Fraser Fest is hosting a series of events to familiarize people with the Fraser River while also contributing to the success of the youth leadership program, where young people canoe 1,400 km down the Fraser River and learn how to protect it.
On now through Aug. 27, there will be salmon feasts and river adventures in communities along the Fraser River.
To take part in a FraserFest rafting or canoeing adventure, get a group of friends or co-workers together and sponsor a trip. There are a total of four rafting day trips in the Fraser Canyon to choose from, stopping at Xatsull, Williams Creek, Lillooet, Stein River, Tuckkwiowhum (Boston Bar), Hell’s Gate and Yale.
There are also nine paddling trips in the Lower Fraser, where you paddle with a professional guide in a sturdy 34-foot Voyageur canoe, with stops at Hope, Agassiz, Dewdney, Glen Valley, Derby Reach, Kwikwetlem, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Burnaby, Musqueam or Vancouver.
(Of note, the adventurous white water Hell’s Gate rafting trip on Aug. 8 is open to individual registrations, as is the English Bay paddle during the Pink Salmon Festival on Aug. 27.)
Up for a cycling adventure? Pedal along the Fraser River as part of a group of cyclists led by Trails BC, following the FraserFest canoes as they journey the Lower Fraser from Hope to the Salish Sea. There are four group rides taking place in August: Hope to Agassiz; the Abbotsford Loop; the Coquitlam-Three Bridges Loop; and the Musqueam Loop.
All cycling trips are free and open to all ages but online registration is required.
Enjoy food, music, education and culture while celebrating the Fraser’s riversheds at one of 12 wild salmon feasts being hosted throughout BC’s Fraser River Basin.
This year, feast locations include Dunster, Quesnel, Xatśūll, Williams Lake, Lillooet, Tuckkwiowhum, Yale, Cheam, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, Musqueam and Vancouver.
All are open to the public but registration is required for most. Participants are asked to bring their own plate, bowl, utensils and cup.
“By participating in FraserFest, not only will you be able to learn about the community projects our SLLP participants are working on, but you will also meet our facilitators, and community leaders along the Fraser who are actively engaged in conserving, protecting and restoring our riversheds,” said Rivershed founder Fin Donnelly, who is also a Port Moody-Coquitlam MP.
Four eco day tours are also planned to explore the Potato House Project in Williams Lake, Glen Valley Organic Farm in Abbotsford, Colony Farm Community Gardens in Coquitlam and the Fraser River Discovery Centre in New Westminster.
Two watershed walks will take place in the Goat Rivershed and Ancient Forest.
After spending a day on, or along the majestic river, participants of all the FraserFest events will be encouraged to sign the ‘Watershed Pledge’ showing commitment to watershed conservation, protection and restoration.
For more event information, dates, locations and to register, go to FraserFest.ca.
