Barkerville is gearing up for an exciting few days with a visit from documentarians with the PBS series Travelscope.
Created more than 24 years ago by award-winning travel journalist and author Joseph Rosendo, Travelscope has grown from a radio show and print publication into an internationally broadcast television series, an eMagazine, as well as video streaming, a travel blog and downloadable audio pod-casts.
"After just five seasons, this popular PBS show boasts 250 million viewers and we are thrilled to have them here for our Dominion Day festivities," said James Douglas, Barkerville's manager of visitor experiences.
"We have an action packed itinerary planned for Travelscope that will showcase the best of Barkerville and our entire region."
Part of the itinerary includes an aerial view of Barkerville provided to the documentary crew by Aberdeen Helicopters.
Barkerville has a long and celebrated Dominion Day history, having been the host of Canada's first ever recorded Dominion Day party in 1868, and strives to create a fun-filled family atmosphere every year with many of the same games and activities enjoyed at the town's earliest celebrations.
The annual parade of costumed characters will start at noon, followed by a special program to recognizing the opening of an exhibit at the newly restored Kibbee House, called Conservation in the Cariboo.
Frank Kibbee, for whom the Kibbee House is named, was an early game warden at nearby Bowron Lake, several decades prior to the lake and its surroundings becoming BC Parks' world-famous outdoor adventure destination, Bowron Lake Provincial Park.
BC Parks is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, and Bowron Lake Provincial Park itself turns 50 this year. As such, BC Parks representatives - along with popular Parks mascot Jerry the Moose - will be at Barkerville July 1, and will support the Dominion Day event by giving away pieces of delicious BC Parks 100 birthday cake and various Parks souvenirs.
The traditional Barkerville Dominion Day games and activities will begin shortly after 1 p.m. and will include old-fashioned fun like Sack Races, Broad-Jump, Ladies' Nail-Pounding, and the ever popular Greasy Pole Climb.
"Both tourism and mining are set to experience substantial growth in the coming years," said Sarai Danby, spokesperson for Dominion Day celebrations sponsor Barkerville Gold Mines. "We look forward to these opportunities to continue our support of the Barkerville Heritage Trust and Wells-Barkerville community, and to creating additional ways for both industries to work in harmony."
Financial sponsors Scotiabank are also pleased to be supporting Barkerville's 2011 Dominion Day celebrations for the second year in a row.
"Our Quesnel branch staff is looking forward to assisting in the delicious job of handing out pieces of Barkerville's notoriously giant Dominion Day cake!" said Scotiabank Branch Manager, Brian Harrison.
Barkerville is situated 80 kilometres east of Quesnel, British Columbia in the foothills of the Cariboo Mountains, close to Troll Mountain Ski Resort and Bowron Lake Provincial Park.
Support was also provided by the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and Tourism British Columbia.
