Fernie has something for everyone to enjoy this upcoming Labour Day weekend – from great music, to an artistic festivals, to classic cars and trains, to a good old-fashioned demolition derby. The City of Fernie is welcoming visitors and residents to take in all the action in a special Centennial Labour Day celebration weekend.
photo by David Thomas
The celebrations kick off on Saturday at 11 am with the Sidewalk Art festival, hosted in the historic downtown until 5 pm. The festival welcomes artists of all ages and abilities to try their hand at brightening up the sidewalks of the downtown with colourful chalk.
Saturday evening, three musical acts will take the stage at Station Square (1st Avenue and 6th Street. First up at 8 pm is local folk musician Jeff Samin, followed by the always eclectic Big Bubba Tres at 9 pm, and finally headliners Redfish will take the stage at 10, playing their own jazz, funk, and rock-infused unique sound to midnight. Redfish hail from the Okanagan and have recently shared the bill at shows with Sloan, Finger Eleven, Evanescence, 5440, and The Trews. Food vendors will also be on site Saturday night. They include Posh Nosh, Cook’s Cabin, Super Natural Spuds and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
The impressive CPR Empress, a 1930’s steam train, will be visiting Fernie that evening adjacent to Station Square – anyone interested in history or trains cannot miss the chance to take a close look at this jewel in the crown of the CPR.
Sunday morning, the Kootenay Cruisers will be buffing and waxing their hearts out in preparation for the annual Show ‘n Shine, held downtown on 2nd Avenue from 10 am – 3 pm. Those checking out the incredible collection of automobiles from the past and present may want to dig into a plate of flapjacks, at the open air Pancake Breakfast, held in Station Square at 9:00 am and throughout the morning. A special dedication of Station Square and an unveiling of a historic time capsule will also take place at 10:30 Sunday morning.
The CPR Empress will also be available once again for tours Sunday morning, and the Station Square stage will feature music from Jeff Samin at 11 am, and later on, the Mike Wall band, running until about 2 pm.
After checking out the polished chrome at the Show ‘n Shine, you may want to go for the opposite and watch a few autos get crunched at the annual Lions’ Club Demolition Derby, hosted at the Gymkhana Rodeo Grounds (just off Golf Course Rd.) from 12 pm to 4 pm Sunday afternoon.
