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Sasquatch returns to Harrison Hot Springs

Rumours of sightings could run rampant this summer thanks to festival

Everyone loves a good mystery. And no mystery has been as intriguing as the local folklore of the Sasquatch. This creature has baffled scientists, trappers, photographers and other curious travelers and residents alike for decades. First Nation historical stories are also filled with sightings of this large, elusive animal, and there was even a very popular festival in Harrison Hot Springs dedicated to its supposed existence.

Now, after nearly 70 years, Sasquatch Days are coming back to Harrison Hot Springs. This  historic event will bring the local First Nations Band Sts’ailes back to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs for two days of games, fun and excitement, June 9 and 10.

This intercultural celebration will include canoe races, traditional salmon barbeque, medicine walks, cultural boat tours, arts & craft activities, games, entertainment and, most importantly, talks on the Sasquatch from Sts’ailes experts and local Harrison Hot Springs Sasquatch investigators.

“The Village of Harrison Hot Springs is glad to see the Sasquatch Days on the shores of our beautiful community," said Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Leo Facio. "We would like to welcome all visitors to Harrison Hot Springs to celebrate the cultural diversity of our region. Diversity is the commonality that unites as all. Let’s celebrate it together.”

Harrison Hot Springs has always been a center of Sasquatch activity and little wonder as the very word Sasquatch derives from the Sts’ailes word “Sa:sq’ets”  meaning ‘wild man’.   The Sasquatch is sacred to the Sts’ailes and as the symbol of their people it is only fitting that this celebration stick with the name given to this very popular event that last took place in 1938.

This two-day event will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 9 with a short procession to Harrison Lake Plaza where a welcoming ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Each day will feature cultural  boat tours, artisan activity tables, medicine walks and opportunities for intercultural sharing. Saturday morning the main event starts as war canoes gather for a friendly competition that will continue with final races on Sunday.

Of course, no canoe race is complete without a traditional salmon barbeque that will take place Saturday afternoon.

The joint hosts for this event, Sts’ailes First Nations and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, invite visitors to this unique event that brings two communities together in an opportunity to learn about the traditions of the Sts’ailes people and share cultural experiences.

 

A new contest lurking

To help celebrate the exciting resurgence of Sasquatch Days, The Observer is proud to be holding a special, outdoor adventure contest.

The Quest for Sasquatch contest begins May 11 and will include a chance to go 'hunting' for the famous Sasquatch. Readers will need to hone their detective skills, while searching for clues in the newspaper, on Facebook and on our website.

Watch for the launch of The Quest for Sasquatch in the May 11 edition of The Observer.