Art in the Park at the Ancient Forest takes place Saturday where musicians and artisans will showcase their talents from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event is part of the three-day Fraser Heritage Festival hosted by the Robson Valley Arts and Culture Council and sees Art in the Park events in McBride on Sunday and at Mt. Robson's Kinney Lake on Monday as well.
The festival is in its 13th year and focused on Art in the Park last year to highlight the grand opening of the Ancient Forest, said Sheilagh Foster, chair of the council.
"That's how it started," Foster said. "McBride is in the centre of the Robson Valley with parks at each end, with the Ancient Forest at one end and the Mt. Robson at the other, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to try to have a festival that celebrated the arts as well as the parks."
The event at the Ancient Forest, Chun T'oh Whudujut, begins with a special welcome for all to the territory of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nations and Kym Gouchie will offer a special dedication in honour of Mary Gouchie's memory.
Other musicians include the Robson Valley's Fiddlesticks and String Ensemble who will perform classical music during the celebration at the Ancient Forest, which proved to be very popular last year and promises to add an unexpected treat for the ear to the event this year, too, Foster added.
Art in the Park will see a variety of artists including dancers and singers, quilters and knitters, painters and sculptors, basket weavers and wood turners showcasing their talents and their wares throughout the forest.
Lunch, which is available by donation, will be provided by Dome Creek Community Association.
Complimentary accessible return transportation thanks in large part to Diversified Transportation to the event is offered by bus at two times from Prince George and once from McBride.
Bus 1 leaves from CN Centre parking lot at 9:30 and leaves the forest at 1 p.m.
Bus 2 leaves from CN Centre parking lot at 11 a.m. and leaves the forest at
2:30 p.m.
Bus 3 leaves at 9:30 a.m. from the McBride Train Station and leaves the Ancient Forest at 1 p.m.
The service is available by preregistration on a first come, first served basis.
To reserve a spot on the bus through Engage Sport North visit: https://events.eventzilla.net/e/art-in-the-park-discovering-chun-toh-whudujut--august-31-2019-2138765868?resp=on&dateid=2138461461.
There is parking at the Ancient Forest. It is suggested to carpool with family and friends as there's limited space.
Be sure to bring a water bottle and snacks and dress for the weather.
Ancient Forest, Chun T'oh Whudujut, is located on Highway 16, 113 km east of Prince George.
