Press Kit

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Fast Facts

Harrison Lake is 60km long. In some places it is only a few feet deep, but it drops to 900 feet in other spots
Harrison Lake is the largest lake in Southwestern BC and boasts several islands and bays that can be explored by boat
Harrison Hot Springs has been home to several ‘sasquatch’ sightings over the years. Sasquatch Provincial Park in the area is named after the elusive creature. Dedicated ‘sasquatch’ seekers equip themselves with night-vision binoculars and heat sensing devices.
The Harrison Lake and River are home to the white sturgeon, the oldest freshwater fish on earth. Sturgeon can grow to over 14 feet in length and weigh in excess of 1500 lbs.
The Agassiz Harrison Museum is housed in a Canadian Pacific Railway station built in 1893, one of only a few remaining in Canada today
Local Aboriginals called the hot springs “Kwals” which means boiling water. The hot springs were known as a healing place by the Coast Salish people
Harrison Hot Springs was named after Benjamin Harrison, a deputy governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Maps from 1846 bear the name Harrison Hot Springs. The population today of Harrison Hot Springs is 1,585

Story Ideas

Circle Farm Tour, Harrison, BC

The Circle Farm Tour is always in full swing, with farmers and producers dishing up their locally produced treats, and on occasion awarding prizes for draws. Visitors taste a variety of cow and goat’s milk cheeses at Farmhouse Natural Cheeses. Get nutty treats at Canadian Hazelnuts, and after a visit to the Kilby Museum that showcases the old home and general store in it’s early 19th-century heyday, choose from a variety of home-cooked dishes and fruit pies at Kilby Historic Site’s restaurant. A table is always set and a unique menu devised by Limbert Mountain Farm for a hearty lunch, and they serve afternoon tea. For more information, please refer to Tourism Harrison’s website, www.tourismharrison.com, or contact Stephanie Key at 604-796-5581.

Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival, Harrison, BC

Be sure to bring your binoculars to zoom in on the Fraser Valley bald eagles feasting on salmon. Annually, nearly 1200 eagles return to the valley, going after the salmon spawning in the Harrison and Fraser Rivers. On November 15th and 16th, birders will flock to Harrison for the 13th Annual Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival, to view these birds of prey in their natural habitat. Talons as sharp as their instincts, the eagles will put on an impressive show, flying high, diving for fish, and scouting for their one-and-only mate for life. From legends told by locals to conservation talks given by naturalists at sites including Leq’a:mel First Nations Hall, Tapadera Estates Eagle Viewing Site, and Kilby Historic Site, even a newbie eagle viewer soon becomes a savvy one. To learn more about this captivating event, please refer to Tourism Harrison’s website, www.tourismharrison.com, or contact Stephanie Key at 1-604-796-5581.

Harrison Hot Springs and Agassiz: full of fun and festivals

The 30th Annual Harrison Festival of The Arts is coming up on July 5th – 13th, 2008. The Festival is a celebration of music, theatre, dance and visual arts from around the world. From indoor concerts and live theatre in the Harrison Hall to the outdoor stage and art markets on the beach, this is a spectacular event. For kids, Children’s Day on August 9, will be the ultimate creative place. This is where tots to tweens get to paint a mural, watch comedic song and dances and build their own crafts.

The second Annual Agassiz Slow Food Cycle Tour is on August 9, 2008. Only an hour and half out of Vancouver, families and friends ditch their vehicles to enjoy a self-guided cycle tour of 10 local agriculture based businesses in the region. At each stop, participants meet and interact with growers and sellers of delectable farm fresh products. Everyone will be celebrating with barbeques, demonstrations and tastings, including blends of honey, chocolate covered and roasted hazelnuts, handmade artisan cheeses and even organic bison meat.

A trip to Harrison Hot Springs would not be complete without a stop to see the magnificent sand sculptures. Made of only water and sand these feats of art, were created at the third Annual Tournament of Champions in May and remain on display through to October 19, weather permitting. And, the premiere event not-to-be-missed, is the 19th Annual World Championships of Sand Sculpture, September 2nd to 7th, with sculptures also on display until October 19.

Summer time, the weather’s ideal for outdoor adventure in and around Harrison Lake. Vacationers can rent a boat, swim, enjoy a lake tour or guided fishing adventure, golf, hike the trails or just relax on the beautiful sandy beach.

With so many exciting things to do in the Harrison Hot Springs region you will need to pick up the local Ticket to Explore guide which lists 150 activities to experience in celebration of British Columbia’s 150th birthday in 2008. Plus, the booklet is full of coupons for savings at local businesses.

Best of all, Harrison Hot Springs is only 90 minutes east of Vancouver. Find nature…just up the road!

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Backgrounder

Nestled against Southwestern British Columbia’s magnificent mountains and the sandy beaches of Harrison Lake, Harrison Hot Springs is a vacation destination filled with rich history and natural wonders. Known for its leisurely days and friendly ways, the region has a lot to offer. Take in the picturesque backdrops and mountain fresh air of the provincial parks, cycle along the pastoral country roads, or browse the unique shops in the Village. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the lake, build a sandcastle with the family, go for a hike, explore by kayak, keep an eye open for wildlife, hire a fishing guide, tour world class gardens, browse the unique shops, experience the countryside circle farm tour or just relax with a good book. In Harrison Hot Springs, there are endless ways to explore nature’s playground.

The natural beauty of Harrison Hot Springs is brought to life with numerous events and celebrations. Every season features a vibrant array of festivals and community event for the whole family. From music concerts to arts festivals, from garden shows to auto racing events, from heritage celebrations to dragon boat racing, there is always a reason to celebrate.

Although it’s close enough for a quick daytrip, there is no need to rush. Provincial parks, private campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, small hotels and luxurious resorts offer a wide range of accommodations, making it easy to stay and explore.

The Harrison Hot Springs region is easily accessible and caters to visitors from all over the world. Perfect for a quick getaway from the city, Harrison is only a 90minute drive east of Vancouver, 40 minutes east of Abbotsford, and three hours from Seattle (all of which are served by international airports). To find nature just up the road, visit www.tourismharrison.com.

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Bios

Stephanie Key

Stephanie is the first Executive Director of Tourism Harrison and has been tasked with the job of establishing this brand new Destination Marketing Organization for resort-destination Harrison Hot Springs. Just a year into the job, she has established a brand and identity for the community and is sustaining it through a variety of materials including a Visitors Guide, website and several other activity-specific publications. She also oversees the Visitor Information Centre, which serves thousands of visitors each year and is active in the community with several festivals and events.

Media contact:
Jayne Lloyd-Jones
Spectacular Ink
604.925.8187
jayne@spectacularink.com

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