It’s all about the children
The Kootenay Children’s Festival will celebrate 25 years of fun
P.T. the Clown (R) and Scooter entertained at the Kootenay Children’s Festival, which is a free annual event. —Photo courtesy of Doreen Keith
On May 8, the Mount Baker field will blossom with the colours and energy of childhood. The Kootenay Children’s Festival is expecting to bring 5,000 people to the field to share in the joys of childhood. Retired nurse Doreen Keith has volunteered for the festival for five years. “I always say my favourite things in life are kids and critters,” laughed Keith. h3. A festival with values The festival was started in 1985 by Cranbrook mother Lori Duke. Since the beginning, the guiding principles of the Kootenay Children’s Festival are that it be educational, free, non-commercial and co-operative. “It’s for children to learn and enjoy,” said Keith. “(It’s about) teaching. (The children get to) pan for gold, plant little plants and decorate cookies. They learn so much (about things) that they probably wouldn’t have seen before—like panning for gold. They keep their little gold nuggets.” The festival features children’s entertainers, like clowns, stiltwalkers and musicians. One entertainer, who has participated nearly every year of the festival, is the Duck Man. The Duck Man is a puppeteer who entertains the children with his dancing ducks. Activity tents where kids can make crowns, decorate cookies, play with bubbles or get their faces painted are popular aspects of the festival too. Visible from the road is the climbing wall that stands at the centre of it all. Every year, Salvador Ready Mix Concrete provides a sand pile for kids to play in. Another fun element is the minivan, donated by Farbrook Auto Wrecking, which the children paint with poster paints. Last year, the festival added a fishing pond—the children cast lines into a container and a hidden volunteer clips a toy to their lines. “We ran out of toys last year because it was so popular,” said Keith. Keith, who has been involved with fundraising for several years, is always impressed with community response to the festival. h3. Generous support “People are very generous here,“ said Keith. “It’s not just the people, but businesses too. We have enough money that we can start the planning in September.” The toys are donated, while things like the cookies, the climbing wall and the performers are paid for by donated funds. Telus Ambassadors, United Commercial Travellers, the Cranbrook and District Arts Council and Tim Hortons are all significant supporters of the festival. Festival organizers held a successful fundraising gift basket raffle at a Kootenay Ice game. All of the prizes were donated. The people who assist the children in the tents are all volunteers, said Keith. “The Sam Steele princesses volunteer every year,“ she said. “They are very, very helpful.” h3. Celebrating a milestone May 8, 2010 will be the 25th year of the Kootenay Children’s Festival, and Keith anticipates the event will be extra special. “It will be big,” said Keith. “We will have cupcakes and cake to celebrate.” Keith looks forward to this year’s festival, and anticipates it will be as fun and beneficial as it has always been. The Kootenay Children’s Festival offers a free experience to families from all walks of life, and illustrates of the generosity of Cranbrook citizens and businesses. “For us it is a lot of fun to put on,” said Keith. “Our reward is the smiles of the children who are happy, enjoying something they don’t have to pay for. I think we owe it to our children.”
Key Cranbrook contacts
Cranbrook, BC
A global leader in the production and sale of hard coking coal
Our company is a global leader in the production and sale of hard coking coal...a relatively uncommon mineral that is essential in the production of steel. With six mines in two Canadian provinces, more than 3,000 employees and a business focused on supplying world steel producers, our company is strongly positioned in a very competitive market.
Cranbrook, BC
Explore the wonders at Island Lake Lodge
Secluded in the peaks of Canada's Kootenay Rockies, Island Lake Lodge and Spa sits on 7,000 acres of pristine wilderness, above a picturesque mountain lake surrounded by an old-growth forest.
Hiking trails begin at the doorstep of each lodge gaining you access to gentle walks and rocky mountain peaks. Our full-service mountain spa promises to relax and renew your senses. Acclaimed food and wine await you at the end of each day in our Ancient Timbers Dining Room.
This summer join us and experience British Columbia's ultimate retreat Island Lake Resort and Spa in the Rocky Mountains near Fernie, B.C.
Cranbrook, BC
Acreage lots for sale
Mountain Shores Acreage Estates is located on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, 45 minutes from Creston. The lots offer beautiful views of Kootenay Lake set against snow-capped mountains. We offer access to fishing, golfing, hiking and water-skiing. We are a short drive from the championship 18-hole Kokanee Springs Golf Resort at Crawford Bay and there are spectacular golf courses close by. Build your cottage or dream home at Mountain Shores and enjoy making memories in your own piece of paradise.
Mountain Shores Development Corporation
Cranbrook, BC
We help people hear clearly again
More and more people under the age of 60 are finding themselves with some loss of hearing. The sooner a person is diagnosed, the sooner the effects of hearing loss can be controlled. While past generations have suffered in silence (literally), this no longer needs to be the case.
The friendly, professional and knowledgeable staff at The Hearing Loss Clinic provide the instruments and expertise to help people hear clearly again. Experience innovative devices such as the Destiny 1600, and get efficient, helpful information in a caring environment.
Cranbrook, BC
We pride ourselves on quality parts, service and products.
At Rocky Mountain Diesel, we pride ourselves on making quality repairs to all makes of trucks and trailers. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains we know the tough conditions that your truck is put through every day. As a Western Star Trucks dealer we are committed to providing our customers with the latest in diagnostic equipment and highly trained technicians. Our up-to-date facility can accommodate even the longest configurations. The trucks you operate are a big investment, and we want to help your company be successful. Call or stop by and see for yourself why we have been keeping trucks like yours on the road for over 20 years.
Cranbrook, BC
At The Bedroom Furniture Galleries, the customer comes first - and we mean it! We offer a 60 day home comfort guarantee on everything we sell. If your not completely happy with you purchase let us know and we'll be glad to find you something else or refund your money.
We are the Kootenay's La-Z-Boy Gallery so we have every style available with a cutting edge design center. with thousands of leather and fabric choices you'll find exactly what your looking for to customize your space.
Cranbrook, BC
Making beautiful home furnishings affordable
At Ashley Furniture Home Store, we make beautiful home furnishings affordable. Because the Ashley Team controls all processes from design to delivery, we are able to reduce our costs and pass these savings on to our customers as exclusive Ashley Furniture Home Store pricing. We are locally owned and operated, so we have better insight into the needs and preferences of our customers at the local level. Additionally, many of our stores actively participate in charitable events that promote the enrichment of their communities. Most significantly, we are committed to you, our customer, and want to ensure you have an excellent experience each time you visit us.
Cranbrook, BC
Cummins: Providing the best in the diesel business.
Cummins Western Canada is the distributor for Cummins Inc. in Western Canada and we were recently recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Cummins Inc. manufactures the world's best and most complete line of diesel engines. Cummins serves a wide variety of customers and we provide power for all types of vehicles and equipment, including heavy duty trucks, mining, oil and gas and logging equipment, generator sets, boats, buses, RVs and pick-up trucks.
Cummins Western Canada is dedicated to providing the best products, service and support in the business. Our staff continually strives to improve our service to customers, and keeps a relentless focus on quality and excellence.
Cranbrook, BC
Ingredients for life
Canada Safeway focuses on providing world class service to customers by exceeding their expectations. The development of Safeway's "Lifestyle" stores is a critical strategy that sets Safeway stores apart. Lifestyle stores are designed for busy customers who want to find everything in one place, great selection, knowledgeable staff, specialty items, and ready-to-eat meals. Visit your local Safeway for ingredients for life.
Cranbrook, BC
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies
Occupying more than 1,250 acres, Forest Crowne is the largest master planned community in the area, which is bordered by the 2,300-acre Kimberley Nature Park, Mark Creek, Kimberley Municipal Golf Course—and will have connections to the Kimberley Alpine Resort and to Nordic Ski trails.
We have single family lots (phase 3) available to purchase to build your own dream home. For those who want to buy a finished home, Eagles Nest Homes offers one- and two-storey cottages with steep roof pitches, long covered porches, multi-paned windows, old fashioned details and the genuine neighbourly feeling of communities past. Imagine single family homes for under $300,000!
Cranbrook, BC
Real living for the really grown up
Golden Life Management provides innovative, attractive and comfortable seniors housing communities.
We aim to ensure that seniors of all ages and abilities enjoy a high standard of living and we know that their happiness requires a quality, purpose-built house and all the attributes that make it feel like home. We employ professional, compassionate and attentive staff to provide the care and services that help our residents live independently, safely and happily. We provide seniors with the security they need to enjoy their time, pursue their interests and maintain their relationships with loved ones.
We take pride in providing progressive, attractive housing for seniors, and peace of mind for their loved ones.
Richmond, BC
PHONE: 1-800-663-2872
Cranbrook, BC
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 417-6565 or (250) 417-7218
East Kootenay Paving
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 426-7205
B.A. Blacktop
Cranbrook, BC
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 426-7205
B.A. Blacktop 
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 426-5352
Highpoint Plumbing & Heating Ltd. -
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 426-5460
Dueck Enterprises -
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 426-4056
Key City Drywall Ltd. -
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 489-1123
The New Pro-Fitness Gym -
Castlegar, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
Phone: (250) 426-3808
Dacota Freight Service Ltd. -
Cranbrook, BC
-
Cranbrook, BC
Vital statistics
- Population :: 19,161
- Number of businesses :: 1,454
- Supporting industries :: Forestry, public sector, mining, manufacturing, tourism, trade, transportation, service
Vital contacts
- City of Cranbrook :: www.cranbrook.ca
- Mayor :: Scott Manjak
- Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce :: www.cranbrookchamber.com
- Manager :: Karin Penner
- Phone :: 1.800.222.6174
Biz Blog :: Keith Powell
A regular report on newsworthy business developments in the Kootenays.
Kootenay Insights :: Tanya Laing Gahr
An inside look at the initiatives and developments that help shape Kootenay communities.
At Work :: Sandra Albers
One-on-one with some of the Kootenay’s business leaders.
Biz Edge :: Danielle Cameron
The faces behind Kootenay businesses.
