With fun activities, informative workshops and live music, infused with French cuisine and culture, Club Bon Accueil’s 7th annual Salmon Festival celebration unites community members of all ages and backgrounds. For the first time, the French club’s family-friendly event takes place over two weekends.
“It is not just a one-day thing,” says club administrator Anne-Rachel Bérubé. “We are kicking it off with a mixer, which is new, then activities and a banquet dinner one week later.”
Festivities begin Friday, September 16, with a “Happy Hour” casual mixer from 5-7 pm featuring appetizers from Ecossentials and the live music of homegrown singer/songwriter Sheila Butts.
An afternoon of free activities, informative demonstrations and a silent auction takes place from 1-4 pm on Saturday, September 24, including myriad of activities for children.
“We are going to have a lot of fun and games for the kids,” says Bérubé. “There will be a treasure hunt, face painting, pumpkin carving, mascots, clowns and the ORCA Bus will be on site.”
For the older crowd, craft vendors are another new addition. Powell River Salmon Society will also be on hand with an information booth.
Some scheduled events serve as a way to strengthen a bond between the club and first nations, one of which is a free workshop presented by Ivan Rosypskye, where the first nation carver will demonstrate how to make a rose out of cedar bark.
“Developing and maintaining a relationship with first nations has always been a priority for our club, to learn from and collaborate with them,” explains Bérubé.
Other workshops and demonstrations include weaving with Ida Belanger and a traditional Tla’amin Nation salmon barbecue by Charlie Bob.
“Charlie comes with the salmon, uses the sticks and starts the fire,” says Bérubé. “Over a span of a couple hours you see how they used to cook the salmon.”
The festival’s name was chosen to acknowledge the value of salmon, similar to the view Tla’amin citizens have for the species.
“Just as first nations on the west coast honour salmon, not only as a food source, but as a way of life, we too recognize and respect their importance,” says Bérubé.
One of the more popular aspects of the festival, a teepee set-up, is also on the afternoon agenda.
“It’s a huge teepee; everyone loves to be part of that process,” says Bérubé.
From 5-6 pm, a cocktail hour and last chance for auction bids precedes a banquet dinner catered by Laughing Oyster and featuring the music of The Wild Woods Social Club.
All events take place at Club Bon Accueil, 5110 Manson Avenue. Everyone is welcome to attend the festival.
“Being French is not a prerequisite to come,” says Bérubé. “Anyone who is curious and wants to learn about the culture is welcome.”
While the club is funded in part by the government of Canada, some fundraising is required to cover festival costs. Businesses including Ecossentials, Townsite Brewing, Mother Nature, Costa del Sol, 32 Lakes Coffee and Coastal Cookery have donated items for the auction so far.
“We greatly appreciate the support,” says Bérubé. “It enables us to continue offering activities and workshops to children at École Côte du Soleil (French School), the French-immersion program at James Thomson and everyone in the community.”
More free workshops will take place in October, including cedar weaving, flower arrangements and coffee painting.
For more information, or to purchase tickets for the festival’s mixer or dinner banquet, call 604.483.3966 or email [email protected].
