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The Fernie Chautauqua and Fall Fair is a 3-day annual fall festival celebrating local art, music, heritage, and cuisine.
The event is a revitalized and invigorated version 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 7th annual festival 2022 will focus on the new exhibit opening at the Fernie Museum 'Women of Michel.' This exhibit features the artwork of four women who were born and raised in nearby Michel, a former mining community that was demolished in the 1960's when the residents were moved to better living conditions in Sparwood. The festival will include a gallery opening reception, panel discussion, video recordings and more.
The Fernie Chautauqua & Fall Fair 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!
WOMEN OF MICHEL
The above-ground realm of women and girls in the coal mining town of Michel was one of colour, caretaking and pride. After its relocation to Sparwood in the mid 1960;s, Michel ceased to exist on the map. For those who had lived there, Michel still exists in the their hearts and the things they create.
This art installation will feature paintings, drawings and fibre arts by four Michel-born artists. Michelle Kozler Loughery, Gayle Gaskell Vallance, Monica Paniec Beranek and Elaine Gaskell DeSpoelberch invite you into their place of origin, the place that informed and inspired them. Artifacts from the community will add context.
Join the artists for an opening reception and see the exhibit through their eyes.
Free admission, drinks by donation, complimentary appetizers. All welcome.
WITH THE FERNIE VISUAL ARTISTS GUILD
Sketchbook Secrets
See inside the artists’s process. Select sketches will be available for sale.
Show & Sale
New and recent works for sale, all $100 or less.
Art Demonstrations
11 AM: Mixed Media Greeting Cards with Laura Bentley. Laura’s motto is ’embrace the chaos.’ Experience the joy of random discovery!
12:30 PM: Abstracted Faces with Karen MacDonald. Learn playful ways to boost your creativity and release the pressure to be perfect with fast, fun, lively sketching.
1:45 PM: Encaustics with Jeanne Parker. Watch Jeanne demonstrate this ancient Greek and Roman artform, which dates back to the 8th century BCE.
Public Participation Community Art Project
Come and join in the fun of painting a Muskoka Chair. The finished chair will be auctioned in aid of the FDHS at the evening celebration.
ARTISTRY Scavenger Hunt
Collect a clue sheet from the Fernie Museum, then discover the outdoor art all over Fernie!
Bring photographic evidence of all of your finds to the Fernie Museum by 2:30pm to receive a voucher to redeem for an original artwork from the Visual Artists. Artwork prizes are limited to the first 20 correct completed scavenger hunts.
GHOST SCHOOLS OF MICHEL NATAL
Many schools have come and gone throughout the Elk Valley over the years. This exhibit will examine the history and legacies that live on in the memories of former students and teachers. One day only, in the Chautauqua Festival Grounds.
ELK VALLEY METIS SOCIETY
TWIN MEADOWS ANIMAL RESCUE SOCIETY
1PM: CHARLES BENJAMIN - On the lawns at City Hall; BYO lawn chairs/blanket/refreshments.
A very accomplished musician who has recently moved to our little town and loves to share his passion for live music. Charles Benjamin, originally from Port Elgin Ontario, combines authentic songwriting with his laid back indie-folk persona. Pulling inspiration from travelling, relationships, and the many ups and downs that life entails, he brings his storytelling style to the stage following the recent release of his first EP entitled Broken Strings.
2PM: LORD KNOWS - On the lawns at City Hall; BYO lawn chairs/blanket/refreshments.
This local duo has been performing together for 3 years. With his background as a front man in a rock blues roots cover band, Tyrone brings his finely tuned guitar skills and husky vocals, while Amanda, simply put, has the voice of an angel. Her unique interpretations of lady anthems are truly something to behold. Expect sing-along rock, country & blues classics and songs sung like you’ve never heard.
WITH THE FERNIE & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Take a look behind the scenes of the various operations of the FDHS and discover a world of history beyond the Fernie Museum, including:
DROP IN - FERNIE ARCHIVES CENTRE, above Scotiabank, 502 3rd Ave (entrance on 5th St)
Join Cory Dvorak to see the extensive collection of documents, photographs, maps and books in the collection.
DROP IN - NEWLY RENOVATED TRIAGE & MANAGEMENT CENTRE, Fernie Museum Basement, 491 2nd Ave.
Join FDHS Director Mike Palamarek to view the renovations that have taken place over the past 6 months and hear about plans for this new space.
11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM – TOUR TIMES ARTIFACT COLLECTIONS CENTRE, Basement of the Holy Family Catholic Church, 501 4th St, entrance from the rear laneway.
Join Collections Manager Lindsay Vallance to see the results of over 3 years of painstaking collections management and hear about the progress, challenges and highlights of this important project.
MICHEL REMINISCING $15 CLICK TO PURCHASE ONLINE
Moderator Lynn Rogers will host a panel discussion with the artists from the Women of Michel Exhibit – Michelle Loughery, Gayle Vallance, Monica Beranek and Elaine DeSpoelberch, inviting the audience to join the conversation and share their memories of the former mining community. Lunch included.
Noon: Arrival and buffet lunch served
12:30PM: Moderated artist discussion
1PM: Audience Q&A
1:30PM: Record your memories. A private area will be set up with a videographer for former residents to record their story of living in Michel. Recordings will be edited and compiled into a digital archive.
Discover the history and heritage, triumphs and tragedies that have formed Fernie over the past 120 years. Join Lindsay Vallance for a fascinating historical tour. Meet at the Fernie Museum. Tours take approx 90 minutes. $5 at the door.
11 AM: The 1908 Great Fire
1 PM: Fernie at War – Internment in the Elk Valley
3 PM: Rumrunners!
FERNIE SPINNERS & WEAVERS GUILD
Watch the artisan crafters at work and learn about the many skills they use to created their textile masterpieces. Demonstrations will include:
– Elin Holvik, Norwegian card weaving and knitting with wool that the guild dyed with natural dyes in June.
– Laura Loewen, spinning wheel, and pre-warped cardboard weaving cards.
– Laura Bentley, rug hooking.
– Hilary Deluca, knitting socks and crocheting.
FERNIE QUILT GUILD
Pieces of Comfort & Colour
A show and sale of a variety of the diversity of quilting styles produced by the guild. Quilters will be present to explain techniques. Some quilts will be available for sale as fundraisers, and contact information will be available for commissions.
A QUESTION OF LOYALTY – ELK VALLEY INMENTINTERNMENT IN THE ELK VALLEY
A new travelling exhibit from the Fernie Museum comprising of mobile panels suitable for setting up in indoor or outdoor locations.
This exhibit explores a painful period in Canada’s history, illustrating how a war fought on the front lines of Europe, Asia, and Africa had a profound impact on the lives of people thousands of miles away, and particularly in the coal mining communities of the Elk Valley and the Crowsnest Pass.
BONNIE HARVEY – KTUNAXA LEGEND SHARER
Join Bonnie Harvey to learn How Mt Baker was Created.
NOON: KIDS CRAFTS & FACEPAINTING
1PM: HARK RAVING SIRENS
2PM: THE SHRED KELLY STORY WITH SAGE & TIM – HOW TO BE A ROCKSTAR!
Hear the story of Shred Kelly – Fernie’s own stoke folk band, who have entertained for over a decade. Join Sage and Tim for tales and songs about life on the road, the trials, tribulations and joys of live performances, recording and more! BYO lawn chairs and snacks!
