Several of the accommodation properties in Harrison are providing fantastic value for families this summer as they have teamed up with local attractions.  Check out these links:

Harrison Hot Springs Resort: http://www.harrisonresort.com/VacationPackages_GetWet.aspx

Harrison Beach Hotel: http://harrisonbeachhotel.com/main/?en&Family

Harrison Executive Hotel: http://www.harrisonhotsprings.com/default/index.php?pageType=hotdeals

The closing weekend for the Harrison Festival offered more great Art Market finds, informative workshops and fantastic beach stage music.  Some outdoor performance highlights were Annabelle Chvostek’s catchy tune ’I Left My Brian’, Ryan LeBlanc effortlessly playing a guitar, harmonica & box drum all at the same time and North to Canda’s all star Gospel & Blues ensemble including Diana Braithwaite, Chris Whiteley, Leon Bibb, Kenny Wayne, Donald Ray Johnson & Russell Jackson.

The Hall concerts continued to deliver exceptional musicianship and contagious energy.  Friday nights performance by Spanish band El Puchero del Hortelano offered a fun mix of Flamenco and Rumba with Funk, Pop and Rock.  Mary Jane Lamond’s Saturday performance had the audience completely wrapped with her spell binding vocals and Gaelic melodies.  Sundays performance with award winning harmonica player Carlos Del  Junco was an excellent close to the Festival.  His ‘overblow’ technique paired with a mix of Blues, Jazz and Latin had the whole house shaking with rock concert amplification.  

Overall, this years Festival was a huge success both artisticly and financially - the latter of the two being all the more important with continued cuts to provincial and federal arts funding.  Missed out on the 2010 line-up, no worries - the Festival will be back again next year from July 8th to the 17th.

As the Festival moved into mid week the sold out performances kept on coming.  Wednesday and Thursday saw packed houses for both the ‘eclectic’ David Lindley and Scotland’s Peatbog Faeries.  Lindley’s acoustic performance offered the very best in American blues and his demented sense of humour delightfully coloured his many in between song stories.  The Faeries had the dance floor hoppin’ and shoutin’ the whole concert with their unique mix of Rock, Electronica and Folk sounds.  The audience simply lapped up their contagious energy and celtic arrangements played on the bagpipes, fiddles and whistles. 

Wednesdays warm sunny weather made for yet another successful Children’s Day.  Children of all ages happily took part in the many arts & crafts and outdoor activities taking place in and around the Memorial Hall.  Performances by tightwire walker Flyin’ Bob and comic daredevil Checkerboard Guy were huge fun for both kids and adults.

Last night’s sold out theatrical performance in the Memorial Hall was a definate good time.  The first of two one-act plays Pillow Talk by Peter Tolan centered around two young men, Aaron and Doug, being forced to share a bed together in Aaron’s Grandmother’s mobile home.  Themes of homophobia and male insecurity offered tremedous laughs and a few touching macho moments.  The second of the evenings offerings, The Terrible False Deception by Rafe MacPherson  was an interestingly unique take on the play within a play.  This piece followed a group of stereotypical performers as they navigated through four different variations of the same dramatic scene.  The audience simply delighted in the unexpected moments that sprung out of the seemingly predictable repetition.  A highlight for the evening was a brilliantly executed front of house speech delivered in a mock British accent with plenty of dry sarcasm.  Overall the two productions were a wonderfull showcase for the young and gifted talent immerging out of the University of the Fraser Valley’s Theatre Department.

The second day of the Festival offered slightly milder weather and alot of the same great entertainment and activities.  The Art Market and beach stage were packed all day with warm and enthusiastic crowds.  A wonderful example of the audiences appreciative nature was the last outdoor performance of the day, Vancouver group Dehli 2 Dublin (D2D) whose energetic blend of electronica, Bhangra and Celtic flavours had the whole crowd dancing and cheering.  The evening concert in the Memorial Hall offered similiar high energy with the big drum sound, African rhythms and amazing harmonies of Montreal’s H’Sao.  Tonight the Festival takes a more mellow tone with their increasingly popular Literary Cafe co-sponsored by the University of Fraser Valley Continuing Studies.  This year’s theme is ‘Bridging the Human’ featuring live readings by BC writers Leona Gom, Elsie K Neufeld and Joan Macleod with music from local singer/songwriter Marilee Jones and Vancouver fiddler Sheila Allan.

The morning began with an Acadian Step Dance workshop in the Memorial Hall expertly instructed by the PEI band Gadelle.  All along the waterfront stretched the many tents of this years vibrant art market.  Artisans from all of BC displayed their unique handmade art and crafts.  From jewellery to drums, pottery to organic health and beauty products, this weekend market offers a diverse selection of high quality one of kind finds. 

In the early afternoon the beach stage concerts got underway with the first of four free concerts including The Tabla Guy, Gadelle, Shearwater & Chic Gamine.  Audience members escaped the heat of the day under the Festival’s staple willow tree and the music from the stage got a number of people on their feet and dancing. 

With the cool evening breeze came the sizzling hot rumbas of Poema Flamenco.  This Vancouver tablao style troupe is well seasoned in flamenco and gave an intensely rich and authentic performance.  The movements of flamenco bailaora Karen Pitkethly mesmerized the crowd with stunning grace and command.  If you missed this incredible show, no worries - you can catch this dynamic group in action every Wednesday and Sunday at the Kino Cafe Flamenco Bar in Vancouver. 

Today from 11am to 5pm car enthusiasts of all ages can droll over (but not on!) collector and vintage vehicles on display at Kilby Historic Site.  Classic cars from all over the Lower Mainland are showcased amongst the heritage buildings of this 1920’s living history site.  The days activities include live entertainment courtesy of Wylie and the Other Guy, an arts and crafts centre, a heritage motorcycle exhibit as well as judging and awards featuring the ever popular ‘People’s Choice’ award.  Admission for this event is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for youth (children 5 & under are free).

The 32nd annual Harrison Festival of the Arts is officially underway.  The celebration kicked off last night in the historic Memorial Hall with the deftly blended ‘folk jazz’ of singer-songwriter Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.  With lyrics ranging from the simply sublime to the sublimely ridiculous the evening concert made for an entertaining and enthralling start to the Festival.   A concert highlight was a shouted request for ’How Can I Miss You If You Wont Go Away’ which Hicks happily fullfilled singing the crowd favourite in Cantonese… or was it Portuguese? 

This year’s Canada Day festivities offered a wide range of activities for both the young and young at heart.  The action got rolling early with a community pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall, and wrapped up with a booming fireworks display on the beach. 

The official welcome by the Mayor took place in the Harrison Lake Plaza and invited patriotic celebrations of all kinds.  A giant Birthday cake was cut, and of course, a boastful rendition of  ‘O Canada’ was proudly sung.  Then came the parade showcasing the Village’s small town hospitality and laid back enthusiasm.  Even with sprinkles of rain and cloudy skies the crowds were warm and cheery.  Following the parade the streets were alive with music and dancing both in front of Muddy Waters and the historic Memorial Hall.  Later, the beach was lined with bodies huddled together under blankets and toques waiting anxiously for the sky to dazzle in lights. 

The display of colourful fireworks started off slow and gradually built to a flurry of sparks and swirls that illuminated the dark landscape.  The explosions thundered off Bear Mountain with audible grandeur.  The finale offered a wall of vibrant fire that danced on the calm waters of the lagoon.  All in all, the small Village of Harrison Hot Springs offered big rewards for those willing to brave the chill night air (and the slow car ride home).

Summer’s biggest local celebration is fast approaching, as the Harrison Festival of the Arts gets ready to kick off on July 10th.  A sample of the variety that this internationally acclaimed event offers can be experienced early at the Ranger Station Art Gallery.  Their July exhibit Divergence, featuring works by black Canadian assemblage artist Rhonda Simmonds, is up now and will continue throughout the duration of the Festival.  Simmonds pieces are crafted from discarded objects that have been repurposed to explore issues of racism, travel and spirituality and she is currently the artist in residence at the Ranger Station Gallery along the east side of Harrison lake.

Local exhibits are also being featured at the Agassiz Library and the Harrison Gospel Chapel during the Festival.  For more information on Festival and art exhibits visit www.harrisonfestival.com.