10th Annual Fernie Chautauqua Cultural Festival

The Fernie Chautauqua and Fall Fair is an annual fall festival celebrating local art, music and heritage.

The event is a modern interpretation of the traditional Chautauquas of the early 20th century, set against the spectacular B.C. Rocky Mountains. Enjoy great events and entertainment throughout the weekend for the whole family. The Fernie Chautauqua welcomes one and all to a communion of friends and family. Whether it’s your first time visiting Fernie or a homecoming with family and friends, join in the fun and celebration!

The location for the event this year will return to 5th Street between 2nd & 3rd Ave, next to the Museum and Library in a reflection of the first Fernie Chautauqua. The BC Biathlon Demo will be held on the lawns at City Hall. 

FREE ADMISSION to the Fernie Museum all weekend!

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH:

11 AM - 4 PM:

• • Displays on 5th St: Geology of the Elk Valley & Lost Souls Society
  • 5th St: Kids Craft Tent
  • City Hall Grounds: Biathlon Demo
         - Biathlon is a dynamic winter Olympic sport that combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle shooting. In a typical biathlon race, competitors alternate between cross-country skiing and shooting. Try it out at Biathlon Demo Day, using rifles with camera-based technology. These rifles are non-projectile, but the infrared camera technology simulates shooting a biathlon rifle on a biathlon range.

11 AM: Lunch and Learn at Fernie Senior's Centre: The Crowsnest Archives with John Kinnear
     - Join local historian John Kinnear for a look at The Crowsnest Archives, a collection of historical documents and artefacts from the former Crowsnest Coal Company, which was headquartered in Fernie in the building that later became Fernie City Hall. Free lunch and refreshments; all welcome. Doors open at 11 AM, Presentation at 11:30 AM. 

11:30 AM/12:30 PM/1:30 PM/2:30 PM: Theatrical Scavenger Hunt, meet on 5th St
     - Join the Skillful Sleuth outside the Fernie Museum and follow her through the Downtown to collect the Clues and solve the Mystery! For detectives of all ages!

1 PM: Live Music on the 5th St Stage: The Banned
     - A Rock n Roll band formed in early 2019 performing songs from Tom Petty, Neil Young, The Tragically Hip and other great music to keep the party going.

3 PM: Historical Walking Tour with Lindsay Vallance, meet on 5th St

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH:

11 AM - 4 PM, on 5TH ST:

• • Art Demos & Displays with Fernie Artists Guilds
         - with Fernie Quilters, Fibre Arts & Visual Artists including:
    • Tie Dying
    • Paper Making
    • and more!
    Beer from the Mountains Exhibit

11:30 AM: 5th St Stage: Writers of Fernie Literary Showcase, hosted by Sadie Rosgen
     - with Mary Menduk, Jimmy Vallance and Mike Coultry

11:30 AM/12:30 PM/1:30 PM/2:30 PM: Theatrical Scavenger Hunt, meet on 5th St
      - Join the Skillful Sleuth outside the Fernie Museum and follow her through the Downtown to collect the Clues and solve the Mystery! For detectives of all ages!

1 PM: Live Music on the 5th St Stage: The Remnants
     - A dynamic four-piece folk ensemble, bringing the sweet sounds of four-part harmony and a little banjo to your Sunday afternoon.

3 PM: Guided Public Art Walk with The Arts Station, meet on 5th St

6 PM: Historic Hotels of Fernie Walking Tour and Pub Crawl, meet on 5th St

• PLUS (TBC):
  • Interactive Info Booths: Twin Meadows Animal Rescue | Elk Valley Metis Nation
  • Soap Box Cars
  • Chilango Food Truck and more!