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...cultural tourism.
 History
and Rural Heritage.... Much of Chilliwack's history since the appearance
of nonnative settlers in the late 1850s centres on agriculture. The legacy
of our agricultural heritage is a relaxed country lifestyle and a picturesque,
open rural landscape. Take advantage of our agricultural tours and visit
operating farms.
The Chilliwack Museum houses the records and artifacts of our history. It
is located in one of Chilliwack's finest heritage buildings — the former
Chilliwack City Hall. To see more of our history, walk a short distance
from the museum to historic Five Corners and Wellington Avenue in the core
of downtown Chilliwack, where Chilliwack's oldest commercial buildings have
been or are being restored. Also nearby, is the Village Walk through one
of the community's oldest neighborhoods of  vintage housing.
SELECT
HERE... for more information on local
events.
Native History and Culture.... Long before
nonnative settlers appeared, what today is known as Chilliwack was inhabited
by the Stó:lõ, or People of the River.
Today , the culture of those original inhabitants reveals itself through
the growing activities of their descendants.
Shxwt'a:selhawtxw - The House of Long Ago
& Today offers a sampling of Stó:lõ
history, language, and culture. It features a botanical garden that showcases
medicinal and food plants used by the Stó:lõ.
& Today is a non-museum hands-on approach involving Stó:lõ
artists and crafts people. Have you ever been inside a Stó:lõ
longhouse? Participate in demonstrations of fishing, weaving, carving and
much more. Visit an ethnobotanical garden with interpretive kiosk.
Xa:ytem - Is a Longhouse Interpretive Centre,
near Mission. It is a well known national historic site that is home to
the oldest house in British Columbia, dating between 5,000 and 6,000 years
old. Ongoing archaeological excavation at Xa:ytem reveals ancient deposits
dating back 9,000 years. Xa:ytem's central feature is a large "transformer"
rock situated on a low terrace overlooking the Fraser River. This rock represents
three ancient Stó:lõ si:ya:m, or
chiefs, who were transformed into stone.
Riverboat tours... Sasquatch Tours, of
Harrison Hot Springs, offers two-hour, half-day, and full-day tours, down
the pristine Harrison River in a 26-foot pleasure craft accompanied by First
Nations guides. You may observe river otters, salmon, sturgeon, salamanders,
and seals; eagles, great blue herons, and scores of other bird species in
their natural habitat on your tour. The vistas will take your breath away!
And your guides, all experienced storytellers and fishermen, will regale
you with legends of Harrison as you visit a range of ancient pictograph
and other archeological sites before treating you to a tasty salmon barbecue.
SELECT
HERE FOR SASQUATCH TOURS...
Events and Festivals.... The native and
nonnative traditions that mark the history of Chilliwack manifest themselves
in our numerous cultural events and festivals. Although these activities
occur throughout the year, most take place during the spring and summer
months..
 Enjoy a First Nations powwow... The Cultus
Lake Indian Festival; Celebrate the Arts Month, including the immensely
popular Dixieland Jazz Festival; the Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival; Flight
Fest, a free air show at the local airport; the Rotary Concours d'Elegance,
an annual display of vintage vehicles amid the grandeur of Minter Gardens;
and the annual Chilliwack Exhibition, which is over 120 years strong, ranks
among the three longest-running country fairs in British Columbia and includes
a rodeo; A Taste of B.C. at Minter Gardens is an opportunity to sample and
acquire B.C.'s finest dairy, wine, specialty meat, crafts and horticultural
products. And there's more! Visit our Calendar of Events for an exclusive
listing.
Arts and Crafts.... A best-kept secret
is that Chilliwack is home to upwards of 1,000 artists and craftspeople.
These range from music teachers to accomplished musicians of international
repute. We've also got painters, sculptors, carvers, potters, and others,
many world-class. Studio and gallery tours can be arranged.
Chilliwack offers an increasing number of performing arts events, many hosted
or initiated by the vibrant Chilliwack Community Arts Council. Music concerts
are on the rise, as are theatrical performances, including musicals. The
local college boasts a great theatre department whose presentations particularly
of Shakespearean dramas have attracted widespread attention. And a superb
local theatre guild draws on a surprising depth of talent from throughout
the community. The Chilliwack Academy of Music likewise produces fine performers
and performances, as does the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra..
 For many local artists and crafts people, the annual Christmas Craft Market
offers the biggest opportunity to display their artistry. Held on the second
to last weekend of November, it also provides locals and visitors the chance
to see and to buy outstanding works from Chilliwack and British Columbia
artists and craftspeople.
SELECT
HERE... to receive a free copy of Chilliwack's official directory
of the arts.
...take a day trip to points of historical interest in Chilliwack.
SELECT HERE
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