Hudson’s Hope spring festival to celebrate ‘community’s roots and heritage’

HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. — Frontier Fest, a weekend celebrating the historical significance of industry, Indigenous peoples and pioneers in building the northern frontier, will happen this spring.

Beginning on Friday, March 6th, the three-day festival will take over Hudson’s Hope and will be hosted by the district’s Fall Fair Society.

Lorenne Tilson, with the society and a member of Frontier Fest’s organizing committee, told Energeticcity.ca the event is an expansion on a one-day festival, truly embracing the frontier theme throughout the weekend.

“We would have a frontier sports competition – log chopping, canoe packing, that type of thing,” said Tilson. “This year we’ve expanded it to an entire weekend. So we have some outdoor skating bonfires. We have sleigh rides. There’s a trappers’ ball, dinner and dancing with live music.”

A press release reads the North Peace “grew through work, trade and the shared effort of people committed to building a life here.”

It reads: “Indigenous communities played a role in the early development of the regional community by sharing knowledge of the land and supporting those who arrived seeking opportunity.”

Tilson added: “We have been looking at trying to create a celebration that celebrates our community’s roots and heritage.

“We are trying to expand the celebration across the region, making note of the fact that these communities were built by partnership with the Indigenous people and with the trades.”

In planning the event, the society is looking for sponsors to participate.

To make it an event where “sponsors have the opportunity to receive something truly meaningful in return,” each $1,000 sponsorship donation will be entered into a special sponsor draw for a fishing trip to Bella Coola, worth $14,250.

The Hudson’s Hope Frontier Fest takes place from Friday, March 6th to Sunday, March 8th at various venues in and around the district, including the Cameron Lake Outdoor Education Centre and the Pearkes Arts and Events Centre.

Although most events are free, some – including the dinner and dance – will have prices announced at a later date, says Tilson.

Visit the event’s Facebook page for updates.