Come and Celebrate the Joy of Winter

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS IN BARKERVILLE HIGHLIGHTS DECEMBER EVENTS

Winter is a joyous time in the Wells, Barkerville area, and with heaps of snow already on the ground, and unique and interesting events taking place throughout the month, December is a great time to make your way up to our wintery wonderland.

To celebrate the season numerous businesses in Wells have created winter specials designed to benefit visitors and locals alike.

The Bear's Paw Café will be opening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this winter, from 11:00 AM until approximately 8:00 PM. They will also be holding gingerbread cookie decorating workshops on the two weekends before Christmas, December 15th and 16th and December 22nd and 23rd. A great way to enjoy the season these sessions are one hour long, and take place at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Decorate and take your special cookies home for a cost of $10.00 per person. They are limited in seating so book your space early.

Each weekend throughout the snowmobile season the White Cap Motor Inn will be offering their "Winter Weekend Special Package deal" The package is $99.00 per person plus tax based on two persons sharing a regular room or four sharing a suite and includes: Friday and Saturday night accomodation, soup and a hot drink for Friday supper, English breakfast on Saturday, three-course roast beef dinner on Saturday evening, English breakfast on Sunday and trail passes for two days.

The Art Rush Gallery will be open during the month of December for Christmas Shopping, with their hours of Operation 12:00 PM till 6:00 PM daily from December 3rd -14th, and December 16th - 24th. Amazing Space Gallery will be open on Saturday, December 15th, Sunday, December 16th and Monday December, 17th. At other times in the winter, people are welcome to ring their doorbell during the day in case they're home and can open up the gallery for them. Calling ahead is a good idea for anyone coming from outside Wells: (250) 994-2332 or email mazing at claireart dot ca.

The Island Mountain Arts Gallery is hosting their 11th annual Wells Works exhibit opening and coffee house at 7:00 PM on Saturday, December 15th. The exhibit will feature some of the many talented artists and artisans living in this beautiful mountain hamlet. You can also get some holiday shopping done, our gift shop features many unique products by local and regional artists. Island Mountain Arts is open throughout the winter Tuesday to Thursday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The Pooley St. Café, located in the Wells Hotel, and the Northwoods Restaurant are both open seven-days-a-week, and offer a variety of delicious offerings.

Other year-round businesses in Wells include the Wells General Store (which houses the local High Speed Internet CAP Site), the Wells Service Station (which is also the post office and liquor store), the Wells Hotel, and the Hubs Motel.

A highlight on everyone's schedule is the Old Fashioned Christmas in Barkerville. This annual event runs Saturday, December 15th, Sunday, December 16th and Monday December, 17th, and features a variety of activities, displays and shopping opportunities.

The Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day, and visitors will be able to purchase gifts at Mason and Daly and MacPherson’s Watchmaker Shop, the St. George Hotel Gift Shop, Cameron and Ames Blacksmith Shop, the Barkerville Hotel as well as McMahon's Confectionery. The Kelly & King House Bed & Breakfasts will both be open, as will Goldfield's Bakery with delicious soups, sandwiches, hot drinks and fresh baking.

Other events that are taking place in Wells to coincide with the Barkerville Old Fashioned Christmas include the Wells Light-up scheduled for Saturday, December 15th at 6:00 PM at Fred Wells Park, and a Chistmas Craft Fair at the Wells Curling Club. The craft fair takes place on Saturday, December 15th, Sunday, December 16th and Monday December, 17th with baked goods, unique gift items, hand-made decorations and door prizes.

Last, but definitely not least, the Friends of the Wells Community Hall will be hosting their annual New Year's Eve Gala on December 31st. This family-friendly event features Bobby B. and the Beaumonts and a buffet during the evening. Tickets are $30.00 for adults, Students (7 - 18) are $20.00 and Children six and under are free. A family pass is $75.00. Doors open at 8:00 PM. All tickets must be purchased in advance, and are available at outlets in Wells and Quesnel. For more information contact the District of Wells at (250) 994-3330 or email wells@goldcity.net.

For more information on all of the businesses mentioned, and for up-to-date events information be sure to visit www.wellsbc.com.

Posted by Sundance Topham Comments Top

Time to go Sledding!

TRAILS ARE GROOMED AND OPEN - TRAIL PASSES NEEDED TO RIDE

The Wells - Barkerville Trail Network is one ot the top snowmobiling areas in BC, and with all of the recent snow, the riding has never been better.

The Wells Snowmobile Club, who manage and maintain the trail network, has been hard at work getting the trails ready for the season, and starting Saturday, December 1st all riders will need to have trail passes before riding on any of the local trails.

Snowmobilers receive a discount if they purchase their 2007-2008 season passes early. Before December 30th, 2007 a Single Pass is $150 and Family Pass is $250. After December 30th, 2007a Single Pass costs $175 and a Family Pass costs $300. Trail Day Passes are $13, and all passes can be purchase at the Visitor Centre/Snowmobile Booth at Jack O' Clubs lake at the entrance to Wells.

For more information on snowmobiling in the Wells, Barkerville area, including information on events, services and rules, please visit the Wells Snowmobile Club website.

Posted by Sundance Topham Comments Top

Theatre Royal, Barkerville, to Embark on Second Provincial Road Trip

TOUR CELEBRATES GOLD RUSH ROOTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA'S 15OTH ANNIVERSARY

In response to last year’s highly successful road trip, and overwhelming requests for a repeat performance, the Theatre Royal in Barkerville is embarking on a road trip around B.C. taking their highly entertaining and educational “Gold Rush Music Hall Revue – the 50th” variety show to community halls, service groups and schools.

“Last year’s tour kept growing” says producer Richard Wright of Newman & Wright Theatre Co.. “We added dates at both ends and this year we have stretched it to six weeks."

"After the 2007 spring tour Barkerville saw a 16% increase in admission, partly in response to the tour. We played to over 6000 people in many sold out venues. While the goal of the tour is to raise or increase people’s awareness of the Cariboo, Barkerville and the Theatre Royal there is another benefit. That was the many folks who thanked us for bringing a little of Barkerville to their community,” he says.

Another aspect of the tour is celebrating BC’s 150th anniversary, which started with the gold rush. “We celebrate the music of BC and the tradition of the Music Halls which were so popular at the time. It is an opportunity to perform some of those great old songs,” says Amy Newman, co-producer.

The six- week tour will begin in Fort Langley on March 8th and then loop through the province. Communities on the performance list so far are Campbell River, Duncan, Hope, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Clinton, Ashcroft, Quesnel, Prince George, Terrace, Kitimat, Westwold and Pemberton.

The cast features Jim Hodgkinson on piano with Amy Newman, Marcello Sequira, Ashlyne Bigg and newcomer Elliott Loran in a variety of song, dance and comedic numbers. Stage Manager is Aaron Wickes and Richard Wright serves as the host and manager. The evening shows are 1.5 hours in length with an intermission.

“These performances are used as fund-raisers by schools, communities or service groups, with the group providing a venue, publicity and ticket sales,” says Wright. The tour is being undertaken with the financial support of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Barkerville Heritage Trust, local businesses and other sponsors. For more information visit the Theatre Royal website.

Story by Richard Wright Comments Top

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