Community Events - Driving Fernie Forward

Fernieites are often asked what their favourite time of year is. If you’re not from Fernie, you might be surprised to learn that fall wins hands down every time. And if asked which is their favourite fall month, my guess would be September.

It’s not just enjoying the very last few sighs of summer with a day on the lake or the trails, or that it’s still warm enough to swim, or that the kids are (finally) back to school, or that it’s still hunting and fishing season, or that the earlier dusk just begs for a campfire, or that you can get any tee time you like, or that there’s just a hint of a whisper of the scent of snow in the air. No, it’s not any of those things.

What makes September so special is that it belongs to the people who live here all year round, love the community with all its unique challenges and opportunities, and want to give a little back. There are still plenty of visitors around but they tend to be on a more relaxed schedule. The winter seasonnaires are also starting to drift into town, but for the most part are happy to kick back and take a month off and join in the fun. What brings the community together during this popular time of year are some of our very favourite annual events.

The first of these is our Labour Day staple, the Fernie Lions Demolition Derby held on Sunday September 5 at the Wrangler Grounds behind Maiden Lake. A Fernie institution since the 70’s, this event had its humble beginnings in a field in Hosmer. After being flooded and snowed out (didn’t I say there’s a scent of snow in September?) the Derby found a new home within walking distance of downtown Fernie.

Attracting drivers and a sell out audience from the entire Elk Valley and the South Country plus further a field from Creston to Edmonton, the Derby is the Fernie Lion’s Club main fundraising event. All of the approx. $20’000 of annual funds raised are redistributed directly into the community to help kids, seniors and the handicapped. With a few new rules this year, the organizers are hoping for co-operation and an event that everyone can enjoy. For more information visit the Fernie Lions Demolition Derby page on Facebook.

If you prefer cleats to carburetors you might like to try a different kind of driving on Saturday, September 18 just a stone’s throw from the Derby site over at the Fernie Golf & Country Club. The Emily Brydon Youth Foundation’s Annual Golf Tournament supports local youth in achieving their dreams in the fields of sports, education and the arts. Fernie’s own Olympic sweetheart promises that the event will be full of surprises, fun and laughter. So pack your funny bone and your wallet in your golf bag and ‘give every child a chance to believe.’ For more information and to register, visit www.emilybrydonyouthfoundation.com.

The kids get their own chance to shine (and drive) on Saturday, September 25 at the Knights of Columbus Soapbox Derby. Open to all kids aged 9-14, this event rounds out a month of amazing community events with benefits that just go on and on. Like a ray of sparkling sunshine through the first snowfall of the season, (there I go with the snow again) the soapbox derby is a giant grin on Fernie’s elated face.

Organizer Butch Coultry is keen to see kids sign up as soon as possible to assist with planning, and wants everyone to know that sponsors are ready and waiting to pick up the registration tab. “This event is all about the kids; just giving them something really fun to get involved in and breaking down the barriers between the different backgrounds.” There’s no ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ at the Soapbox Derby, everybody competes on the same winding road, with the same souped up wheels.

For information or for new online registration, please visit www.ferniesoapbox.com .Butch even hinted at some fun and games for the big kids, but for that you’ll need to be at the derby on the day of!

As with any community event, volunteers are in high demand but never more so than at the two derby events where safety is of prime concern. All of the organizers I spoke to were keen to sing the praises of our wonderful fire-fighters, paramedics and RCMP who make these days possible, along with literally hundreds of others who turn up to lend a hand. If you can spare a day to make these very special events happen, please contact the organizers as soon as possible at the contact info listed above. Make sure you join in the fun, support your community and get a whole lot more into the bargain.

OTHER FEATURED EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
DUATHLON
Brand new and sure to be a popular fixture on the Fernie biking/running calendar, the first annual Tears and Gears mountain duathlon is Sunday, September 12 with the start/finish/transition zone at the Aquatic Centre so the cheering crowds can watch plenty of the action. Visit www.fernietearsandgears.com to learn more, register, or sign up as a volunteer. And don’t forget to pencil the Fernie Half Marathon on your calendar for Sunday, October 3. www.ferniehalfmarathon.com.

FILM
Indie Films Fernie returns for the first film of the fall season on Monday 13 with the award winning Mao’s last Dancer. www.theartsstation.com or call 250-423-4842 for more info or season tickets.

BIKING
The Fernie Mountain Bike Club kicks it into high gear in September with three major events to get the adrenalin flowing. The Project 9 race is a sesame street night of 9’s. Three races combine on 9/9 with a start time of 19:09. Saturday, September18 features the ever popular Dirt Diggler Classic DH race. And then it’s time to get your game face on to close up the season on Saturday 25 at the High Roller Poker Ride. For more info or to register go to www.bikefernie.ca

RIVER FUN
To celebrate BC Rivers Day you’re invited to join a shoreline cleanup and celebration on Sunday, September 26 in the Annex Park from 1-4 p.m with lots activities for the whole family including a BBQ for volunteers, River Rambles and Fishy Tales, face painting, kite making and a bike tour.

ECOGARDEN
Learn about seeds and propagation on Wednesday, September 8 and how to extend your growing season with greenhouses, cold frames and more at ‘Grow more, grow longer!’ on Wednesday, September 29. For more information visit www.ecogarden.ca or call 250-423-3482 to register.

APPLE HARVEST
If you’re going to have trees full of apples by the end of September and no idea what to do with them, book your slot to use the Apple Press at the Ecogarden on September 30 or October 1. Contact Bear Aware co-ordinator Kathy Murray, 250-423-6406/kathymurray13@hotmail.com to sign up.

GHOSTRIDERS
The KIJHL Fernie Ghostriders will kick off the home season on Friday, September 24 at the Fernie Memorial Arena. Purchase your tickets at the pub for $15 and get a burger and a beer, plus the after party with Shred Kelly. The Fernie Ghostriders will host the Cyclone Taylor Cup in 2011.