This annual fall festival celebrating Fernie’s culture, heritage and cuisine is happening again.
WHETHER ITS YOUR FIRST TIME VISITING FERNIE OR A HOMECOMING WITH FAMILY A FRIENDS, THE CHAUTAUQUA AND FALL FAIR WEEKEND IS A REAL TREAT!
See more at: ferniechautauqua.com/
About Chautauqua
From 1917 to 1935, Fernie hosted a six day travelling cultural and educational festival known as the Dominion Chautauqua.
Chautauqua was a travelling institution begun at Chautauqua Lake, NY with roots in Canadian Methodist Temperance rallies. Chautauquas carried education, inspiration and entertainment across North America.
John M. Erickson brought the idea from the US to Alberta in 1917. He established Dominion Chautauquas (Canadian Chautauquas after 1926) with headquarters in Calgary. With the help of his wife, Nola, Erickson spread a network of tent circuits across Canada from the Pacific to Quebec to the northern fringes of prairie settlement until 1935.
Chautauqua programs consisted of 4 to 6 days of musical numbers, lectures, dramatic productions and magic or puppet shows. Chautauqua was good family entertainment and the people loved it. To many it provided their only opportunity for a cultural experience. Its end in 1935 can be attributed to changes in popular taste, the increasing availability of movies and the spread of radio, as well as to an easing of Depression conditions.
As well, Fernie hosted an annual Fall Fair, complete with exhibit, blue ribbon contests, demonstrations and entertainment for the whole family.
These annual community traditions are being resurrected by the Fernie Museum, Wildsight (Elk Valley), the Fernie Arts Station, the Fernie Heritage Library, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Fernie as the Fernie Chautauqua and Fall Fair.
