Brackendale Eagle Festival

Brackendale Eagle Festival

This January we celebrate the 34th annual Brackendale Eagle Festival and Count 2020. The annual Bald Eagle Count is held on the first Sunday in January. The month-long festival offers a lineup of concerts, group tours, art shows and lecture series. The events calendar for 2020 should be online soon at Brackendale Art Gallery.

Brackendale has become known as the World Eagle Capital. In 1994 the world record count of 3,769 wintering American Bald Eagles was recorded. Each year, the Brackendale Winter Eagle Count is carried out by trained volunteers. During the count day, visitors are welcome to go into the park and view the eagles, and enjoy the amenities of the Brackendale Art Gallery, as the count results are returned and tallied throughout the day.

The 2019 – 2020 EagleWatch program runs from November 9 through January. Each year volunteer interpreters share their knowledge and love of bald eagles with people from around the world. Eagle Run dike is an accessible site, with a ramp on the south end.

Half day outings are offered by Squamish Rafting Company, from October through April. Anyone interested in eagle watching and the spawning salmon that attract the eagles to the river is sure to enjoy the Wilderness & Eagle Viewing Float. A hearty restaurant-style bowl of chilli is served, with hot beverages.

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Brackendale Art Gallery Artisan Christmas Craft Fair

Brackendale Art Gallery Artisan Christmas Craft Fair

Saturday, December 7th, the Artisan Craft Market will be held from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Handmade holiday gifts are always a great way to add a little holiday magic into the season’s preparations. This traditional craft market is always bustling before Christmas, with an excellent selection of local vendors. Custom crafted gift items this year will include aromatherapy, cacao products, felt wool and silks, photography, pottery, rattles and spiritual tools, and much more.

Sweet bread and spiced cider will be available with a cash donation to the Squamish Food Bank. And a menu of beet borscht, salmon bisque, homemade bread and pastries, wine, beer and espresso coffees will be available all day.

Brackendale Art Gallery is located at 11950 Government Road. For more information visit the Brackendale Art Gallery website.

 

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Spirit of Christmas at the Sea to Sky Gondola

Spirit of Christmas at the Sea to Sky Gondola

Beginning November 29th, Sea to Sky Gondola will again be hosting the Spirit of Christmas, in their traditionally decorated tent at the basecamp location. Spirit of Christmas will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between November 29 and December 15. Santa Claus is coming, with photos from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The price is $20 for one photo and $30 for two.) Photos will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

An outdoor festive menu will be offered between 10:00am and 4:30pm, opening with pancakes and artisan sausages, fresh off the grill. A festive BBQ will be open until around 4:30. For the big kids, there will be a Christmas Spirit Bar, coffee, hot chocolate and seasonal baked goods. From 2:00 till 4:30pm, sample craft beers and ciders will be served, along with delicious canapes, during Holiday Happy Hour

From 10:00am until 4:30pm, there will be a forest scavenger hunt. It’s a great opportunity to explore the surrounding trails and nearby Shannon Falls.

Spirit of Christmas 2016

There will be seasonal crafting from 10:00am till 2:00pm, on each Spirit of Christmas date except December 15. Featured activities will include cookie decorating, colouring and other seasonal crafts. On December 15th, instead of crafting, there will be Brunch with Santa. To enjoy this holiday brunch with Santa, pre-booking is required. Brunch is $24.99 for adults and $12.99 for children.

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