[BCMA] Fwd: Barkerville’s “Discovery Day” finds Williams Creek Gold at heart of sesquicentennial fun

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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Barkerville’s “Discovery Day” finds Williams Creek Gold at 
heart of sesquicentennial fun
Date: 	Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:50:40 -0700



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Barkerville’s “Discovery Day” finds Williams Creek Gold at heart of sesquicentennial fun

August 14, 2012 (Barkerville, BC) – The 150th anniversary of William “Billy” Barker’s earthshattering placer gold strike on Williams Creek in August 1862 was officially commemorated this past Sunday at the living history museum in British Columbia’s central interior that still bears his name.

Barkerville, a boomtown named for the intrepid English prospector from March, Cambridgeshire who proved a legion of sceptics wrong when he struck it rich below Blackjack Canyon south of Richfield, was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923, and  later a Provincial Heritage Site in 1958. Since then, the uniquely-preserved historic town has become the largest heritage attraction in Western North America, complete with 135 restored or recreated wooden structures, 185,000 authentic artefacts, 18 old-fashioned businesses and scores of costumed historical interpreters. Barkerville hosts an average of 65,000 international visitors annually, and continues to be a significant cultural and economic force in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, much as it was in the days of Billy Barker’s legendary feat 150 years ago.

“Discovery Day,” capped off a weekend of sesquicentennial-themed activities at Barkerville Historic Town (including the triumphant return of the Canadian National Gold Panning Championships, hosted by Barkerville’s own 6-time World Invitational Gold Panning Champion, Scott Rea) was made possible in large part by Williams Creek Gold Limited, a local resource company.

“We really must thank Supporting Sponsor Williams Creek Gold, as well as the Government of Canada’s Building Communities Through Arts&  Heritage program, for helping make our Discovery Day celebrations possible,” said Fairlith Harvey, Barkerville’s Special Events Coordinator. “These two groups, together with Community Supporters the District of Wells and the Wells Chamber of Commerce, and Print Media Sponsor The Prince George Citizen, helped make Barkerville’s Discovery Day a fabulous 150th anniversary event.”

In addition to day two of the 2012 Canadian National Gold Panning Championships, Barkerville’s Discovery Day celebrations included a variety of musical acts, a Chinese magic show, a presentation of Andrew Hamilton’s new “Billy Barker” historical interpretation, and special visits from Barker’s great-great-granddaughter, Elaine Edgington, and the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver, Liu Fei.

For more information about Barkerville’s Discovery Day celebrations, or any of Barkerville’s 150th anniversary events, please visitwww.barkerville.ca/special_events.htm.

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ABOUT BARKERVILLE HISTORIC TOWN

Barkerville Historic Town is the largest historic site in Western North America (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) and is itself a dynamic cultural community, home of Island Mountain Arts, the acclaimed Toni Onley Artists’ Project, the International Celtic Harp School (www.imarts.com), the dynamic indie music festival ArtsWells (www.artswells.com), and the Sunset Theatre (www.sunset-theatre.com). Wells is also situated close to a wide variety of winter and summer outdoor activities.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

James Douglas | Manager, Visitor Experiences

B  A  R  K  E  R  V  I  L  L  E     H  I  S  T  O  R   I  C     T  O  W  N
Box 19 | Barkerville, BC | V0K 1B0
250-994-3302 ext. 41 | 888-994-3332 toll free | 250-994-3435 fax
www.barkerville.ca
barkerville.wordpress.com

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