Annual Events
The great community spirit in our little towns means that we have a lot to celebrate – with each other and with visitors.

Aside from the annual events listed below, there are always community events such as arts and craft displays, music and dance shows, or film festivals, so it pays to check in with the local tourism websites before you travel.

Summer

Aboriginal Day events (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve). Late June: displays and performances about traditional native culture, held at various venues in the park on national Aboriginal Day.
ChooKwa Challenge Native Canoe Races (Port Alberni). June or July: Paddlers race both traditional dugouts and fibreglass replicas on the Somass River.

Folk Fest (Port Alberni): July 1 long weekend: live music and dance performances.

Forest Fest (Port Alberni). July: a weekend with a Loggers’ Stomp Dance and arts events all with a forest theme..

Thunder in the Valley (Port Alberni). August: drag-racing at the airport. August 11-12, 2007

Fall

Salmon Festival and Fishing Derby (Port Alberni). September, Labour Day weekend: fishing derby and salmon BBQ.

Fall Fair (Port Alberni). September: a weekend with an agricultural show, midway rides and loggers’ sports.

Robertson Creek Salmon Hatchery Open House (Port Alberni). October: a weekend open-house where you can watch salmon returning to spawn.

This article was written by Jacqueline Windh.