Way back in the year 1862, Louis Christien made the long trip from Quebec to B.C., via California. He and partner, William Peon, are credited with discovering gold on Cherry Creek in Cherryville that year, triggering a mini gold rush and marked the beginning of European settlement in the North Okanagan.
By 1863 – only one year later – there were 12 miners working their claims along Cherry Creek.
Back then it took two and a half days with horses to reach Cherryville from the Okanagan. Now, a century and a half later, it takes less than an hour, so why not come on out and celebrate Cherryville Days “Gold Fever: There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!” 2012, on June 1 to 3.
2012 also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Monashee Provincial Park. Ernest Laviolette, president of Cherryville and Area Historical Society, and Eugene Foisy, Regional District Director for Cherryville, were instrumental in encouraging the Province to declare this beautiful area which is Cherryville’s back yard, a Provincial Park.
What a great year this is for a party in Cherryville.
Festivities will be starting up with a Heritage Celebration at the Cherryville Community Hall on Friday, June 1 at 2 p.m. Fifty years’ worth of photographs will be on display, and BC Parks staff will be on hand to provide current-day information about Monashee Provincial Park.There will be Birthday cake for eating, to give visitors fuel for the family dance in the evening. Pull out your best suspenders and hat to dress up in the “Gold Fever” theme.
There will be lots of activities for kids and the whole family, with popular Cherryville Days events including the Cherryville Days Parade, the (in)famous and hilarious Outhouses Races, Pet Show, Gold Pan Alley Kids Zone and Horseshoes Competition.
Live music and two Farmers Market days and more cake are on the itinerary, and a list of all the events is available online at the Cherryville website.
What are you waiting for? Come get knee deep in the fun and see how it pans out. You’ll likely find a golden opportunity to enjoy yourself.