Cultural and active options for a fantastic 5-day music-themed extravaganza, August 8-11, 2019.

Central to this weekend of good times, Wapiti Music Festival will celebrate 9 years of the best Canadian Indie in 2019 on August 9 - 10th in Annex Park. 

Wapiti is known for great music, good times, and a friendly sunny atmosphere, but that's not all! To help you make the most of your stay, we've put together this itinerary packed with other events, activities, and dining suggestions. 

Make sure you book your accommodation in advance, camping spots (off-site only) and rooms will fill up fast! Limited spaces may be available at some of the activities mentioned below; be sure to call or book ahead!

First, the lowdown on WAPITI MUSIC FESTIVAL

• WHO: Wapiti is family friendly! There's no charge for Kids 12+U but everyone must have an advance reservation to ensure admittance! For big kids aged 65+, tickets are just $5!
  Save time at the gate and purchase/book your free tickets in advance online.
  • Who's playing? 
    • Friday, August 9th
      6:45pm Mountain Sound
      8:15pm Nuela Charles
      9:45pm Current Swell
    • Saturday, August 10th
      10:30am Morning Jam Session (in Beverage Garden)
      12:45pm The Parsons
      2:15pm The Steve Brockley Band
      3:45pm Goodnight, Sunrise
      5:15pm Carmanah
      6:45pm Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds
      8:15pm Fake Shark
      9:45pm Black Pistol Fire
      
• WHEN: Gates open 6 pm Friday and 12 pm Saturday. Music until 11pm each evening. 
• WHAT: Bring your best listening ears! Alongside the Fresh Canadian Indie there's also:
  • Vendor Market
  • Kids crafts, Activities, Hoola hoops and Sprinklers 
  • Awesome Food Trucks 
  • Art Installations
  • Beverage Gardens featuring Fernie Brewing Company brews and other BC beverages.
• WHERE: Annex Park ontheNorth side of town, 6 blocks from the highway.
  • Turn off highway #3 onto 11th St between Snow Valley Motel & Red Tree Lodge and follow this right into the park.
• WHOW!
  • Stay hydrated! Factory sealed non-glass containers of non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. Free city water on site, bring an empty reusable bottle or cup.
  • Bring something to sit in/on/under. Blankets go at the front of the lawn behind the dancin' area, then low chairs, followed by high back chairs, and shade tents at the back and along the side.
  • Limited parking, including designated handicapped access. Free, secure bike check with room for everyone—all the accommodations in town are within biking/walking distance.
  • Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and something warm for after the sun goes down.
  • Bugs are not usually a problem but bring some spray if you're super-sensitive.
• WHY? Because it's all about the dancin' shoes and big happy summer smiles! Check out the FAQ page on the event website for more great intel!                         

So that's Wapiti, but what else should you do? First, decide whether you want a cultural day or an active day, and then select as much as you can handle!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7TH

• CULTURAL:
  • 5:30 PM: Roll into town in time to catch the first live outdoor show of the week: West My Friend is live on the steps of the Arts Station in Station Square for the Outdoor Concert Series Summer Social, plus Beverage garden, Children's activities & Mountain market. 
• ACTIVE:
  • 3 PM: Bring your clubs for Men's League afternoon at the Fernie Golf Club.
  • 6 PM: Ladies can join the FWOW ride - Fernie Women on Wheels hit the great mountain bike trails around town for an evening ride, or join them on Friday mornings.
• GOOD EATS: Check out the food truck options at the Outdoor Concert Summer Social. 
                          

THURSDAY AUGUST 8TH

• CULTURAL:
  • Start your day in Historic Downtown Fernie with coffee and breakfast on a downtown patio, attractions to discover and unique boutique shopping to keep you busy all day.
  • 2 PM: Taste the sunshine at the Impala African IPA Launch at Fernie Brewing Company. Free tastings and great atmosphere!
  • 6 PM: Get your fun on at Summer Park Fun with Fernie Pride Society in James White Park, followed by Beers & Queers at The Valley Social.
  • 7 PM: Learn the language of the local flora at a Weeds & Watercolours Workshop at The Arts Station. 
  • 8 PM: Try brain-bending Trivia at The Fernie Hotel & Pub
  • 9 PM: The Brickhouse rounds out the evening with more great tunes at the ever-popular Jam Night.
    
• ACTIVE:
  • Plan an adventure day! Take to the trees at the Fernie Alpine Resort Aerial Park, book a spectacular Guided Fly Fishing Trip or take the family Whitewater Rafting on the lower Elk River.
  • 6:30 PM: the Thursday Night MTB Race at Fernie Alpine Resort, is a great way to burn off some steam as the sun goes down.
• GOOD EATS: There's lots of great options downtown! Go with the musical theme and try the famous blues burger at The Brickhouse for dinner.    
      

FRIDAY AUGUST 9TH

• CULTURAL:
  • WAPITI is here! Gates open at 6pm, performances from 7-11pm. 
  • 11 PM: After the festival gates close, hit the highway and check out the bar scene at Kodiak Lounge or the Pub Bar & Grill or head downtown for more live acts and DJs at all good venues including:
  • 11 PM: Wapiti After Party Weekend at The Royal
  • 11 PM: The Frontiers at The Northern
• ACTIVE: Save your energy for dancing at Wapiti and ease into the weekend with gentle, restorative activities:
  
  • Rent a townie bike and discover the leafy Dyke trails along the banks of the Elk River.
  • Take a family-friendly hike to Fairy Creek Falls or The Ancient Cottonwoods.
  • Cool off on a guided Supsquatch, paddleboard tour or Float Trip on the Elk River.
• GOOD EATS: Food truck nirvana at Wapiti!  
                      

SATURDAY AUGUST 10TH

• CULTURAL:
  • 11 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM: Join a Heritage Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Fernie. Learn about our legends and beautiful architecture on a gentle 90-minute tour starting from the Fernie Museum.The first tour finishes just in time to grab your bike and head on over to Wapiti to catch the first act at 12:30 pm. Stay for the day and enjoy amazing music right through to 11 pm.
  • 1 PM: Also at the Fernie Museum, Lantern Building with Lesley Graham.
  • After the festival winds up, it's back downtown for even more live music including:
  • 11 PM: Wapiti After Party Weekend at The Royal
  • 11 PM: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at The Northern
• ACTIVE: 
  • 8:30 AM: Say good morning to the mountains at Morning Yoga at Lizard Creek Lodge.
  • 1 PM: More fun on the links at the Two Person Tournament at Fernie Golf Club.
• GOOD EATS: Sample more food truck treats at Wapiti. 
       

SUNDAY AUGUST 11TH

• CULTURAL:
  • 10 AM: Start your day at the weekly Mountain Market from 10am-2pm in Rotary Park. Explore the many booths and pick up local crafts and produce. Bibbity Bobbity Boo, Fernie's annual children's festival, will also be held in Rotary Park from 10am-2pm. It's free and aimed at under 10's, but everyone is welcome! 
  • 11 AM: In downtown Fernie, take in the Show n' Shine Classic Car Show on 2nd Ave, and live art demos at Fernie Arts Co-op, Eye of the Needle Studio & Gallery, and from the Visual Arts Guild at The Arts Station on the Columbia Basin Trust Culture Tour.
  • 1 PM: 1000 Paper Cranes with Lesley Graham.
• ACTIVE:
  • Discover spectacular Island Lake Lodge in the Old Growth Cedar Valley. 
    • 8:30 AM: Explore ILL's newest trail on the Spineback/Goldilocks Guided Hike.
    • Want to go at your own pace? Trails begin with a gentle stroll around the lake, advancing to expert-level alpine hikes. Guides are also available for private tours.
    • Island Lake is also the terminus for iconic Heiko's Trail, a strenuous full-day hike featuring waterfalls, caves, mountain passes, and unique subalpine flora & fauna. 
    • The Spa at Island Lake will be a welcome retreat at the end of a good day's hiking.
• GOOD EATS: Island Lake Lodge offers laid back patio dining for lunch and refined fine dining for dinner. Savour the spectacular views and understated farm-to-fork cuisine at this foodie paradise.