[BCMA] SEPTEMBER is BC Firefighter Appreciation Month at Barkerville Historic Town
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Fri Sep 10 15:54:55 PDT 2010
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: SEPTEMBER is BC Firefighter Appreciation Month at Barkerville
Historic Town
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:29:34 -0700
From: James Douglas <JDouglas at barkerville.ca>
*For Immediate
Release
September 10, 2010*
* *
*SEPTEMBER is BC Firefighter Appreciation Month at Barkerville Historic
Town*
* *
*Barkerville, BC --* On September 16, 1868, a devastating fire in
Barkerville spread quickly through the town's compliment of wooden
buildings, shingled roofs, and canvas ceilings to almost completely
devour what had by then become the centre of British Columbia's economic
activity.
With the harshness of winter fast approaching, those industrious and
persistent Barkerville pioneers struck back in the face of misfortune.
Reconstruction began two days later, at an impressive pace. Within six
weeks, ninety buildings had been rebuilt, the town's boardwalks were
improved, and Barkerville's previously narrow and winding main street
was both widened and straightened.
To commemorate this amazing feat -- the rebuilding of what was
considered to be "the largest city north of San Francisco and west of
Chicago" - and to show appreciation for the continued, dedicated work of
British Columbia's professional and volunteer firefighters over the last
century-and-a-half, Barkerville Historic Town has proudly declared
September "Firefighter Appreciation Month."
Any BC firefighter visiting Barkerville from now until September 26^th ,
2010, will receive a free family admission pass when he or she presents
valid identification.
In addition, Saturday, September 18^th - 152 years to the day that
Barkerville's rebuilding began -- is now officially /Williams Creek Fire
Brigade Day/ at Barkerville.
Fire Brigade-themed games and activities are planned for the general
public on Saturday afternoon, including an Amazing Race-style relay to
"help rebuild Barkerville," and a special "Fire Brigade Follies" edition
of the Theatre Royal's fall season show "Gold Rush Nuggets," at both 1
pm and 7 pm. Members of the Wells Volunteer Fire Brigade will be on
hand throughout the day to show off their skills and equipment, and to
answer any questions guests may have about modern ways to keep valuable
resources like Barkerville Historic Town safe from seasonal wildfires.
The fast arrival of fresh lumber played a critical part in the recovery
of Barkerville after the Great Fire of 1868. Thanks to the funding from
the Federal Government's Western Economic Diversification initiatives,
and the restoration efforts of the Quesnel Antique Machinery Park,
visitors to Barkerville during /Williams Creek Fire Brigade Day/ on
September 18^th will also have a rare opportunity to witness the revival
of Barkerville's 1868 Waterous Engine Works sawmill. The refurbished
"rack and pinion" sawmill will be fired up at the machinery shed on
Barkerville's back street at 2:30 pm.
Come visit Barkerville Historic Town on September 18^th -- /Williams
Creek Fire Brigade Day/ -- and help honour the efforts of those who
continue to keep our province safe from fire while enjoying a beautiful
autumn afternoon filled with fun, firefighter-themed activities.
-30-
*About Barkerville Historic Town*
Barkerville Historic Town is the largest historic site in western North
America (www.barkerville.ca <http://www.barkerville.ca/>). Barkerville
is provincially, nationally and internationally recognized for its
historic significance associated with its place in western Canada's gold
rush era and the role the gold rush played in BC joining Canada.
Barkerville is widely known as a "must see" for travel itineraries in
western Canada. The historic town is also a significant contributor to
the Cariboo regional economy and is widely regarded as a unique
component of the regional identity.
The Barkerville Heritage Trust, as Barkerville's operating and managing
partner, works in conjunction with the Province of British Columbia, the
owner and statutory guardian of Barkerville's heritage resources, to
ensure that Barkerville is efficiently managed, entertaining and
educational to visitors, and financially stable as the premier heritage
resource and tourism attraction for the Cariboo. The ultimate aim is to
maintain and enhance Barkerville's position as a nationally significant
heritage resource and tourism attraction for British Columbia and Canada.
Barkerville is situated 80 km east of Quesnel, British Columbia in the
foothills of the Cariboo Mountains, close to Troll Mountain Ski Resort
and Bowron Lake Provincial Park. The nearby community of Wells (8 km
from Barkerville) is the service and housing centre for the area
(www.wellsbc.com <http://www.wellsbc.com/>) and is itself a dynamic
cultural community, home of Island Mountain Arts, the acclaimed Toni
Only Artists' Project, the International Celtic Harp School
(www.imarts.com <http://www.imarts.com/>), the dynamic indie music
festival ArtsWells (www.artswells.com <http://www.artswells.com/>), and
the Sunset Theatre (www.sunset-theatre.com
<http://www.sunset-theatre.com/>). Wells is also situated close to a
wide variety of winter and summer outdoor activities
* *
* *
*Media Inquiries*
* *
*
*
* *
*James Douglas*
Marketing and Communications
Barkerville Historic Town
Box 19
Barkerville, BC V0K 1B0
250-994-3302 ext. 41
888-994-3332 toll free
250-994-3435 fax
james.douglas at barkerville.ca <mailto:james.douglas at barkerville.ca>
www.barkerville.ca
<https://mail.barkerville.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.barkerville.ca/>
_barkerville.wordpress.com_
Skype: barkerville.historic.town
Twitter: #barkervillebc
Watch: youtube.com/barkervilletv
<https://mail.barkerville.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://youtube.com/barkervilletv>
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