The Westerly News is hosting a contest to celebrate the return of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, set to make a splash from March 18 to 26, 2022.
We want to hear your Pacific Rim Whale Festival stories! Send us your most magical Whale Fest moment in a written message (under 250-words) or a short video clip (about 30-seconds) for a chance to win a one-night stay at the Wickaninnish Inn and a 2022 Whale Fest poster. Submissions should be sent to office@westerlynews.ca no later than March 18, 2022.
From the Parade of Whales and the Rubber Fish Race to Tug-O-Whale, Spout Ball and the Chowder Chowdown, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival has been a memory maker for West Coasters for the last 30 years.
Festival co-chair Marilyn McEwen moved to the Coast in 1997, and one of the first things she did was join the board of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival.
“Now is a good time to reflect on the Whale Fest as I think that’s all we’ve had over the past two years is nostalgia,” said McEwen.
It was hard for her to pick just one favourite memory.
“There have been so many memories over the last 25 years, from the Tug- o-whale on the beach to the gala at the Wick Inn. The Chowder Chowdown is a super fabulous event and the Rubber Fish Race, which was originally at Lost Shoe Creek at Combers Beach, that was challenge to collect the rubber fish before the got to ocean. Barnacle Blues was a good one too, 15 years running with so many good musicians playing at the event,” McEwen said.
On Feb. 14, 2022, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival Society received a British Columbia Festivals, Fairs and Events grant to help re-build operations and offer more in-person activities.
“We were so excited with the new Public Health Orders that were announced. This has opened up things. There are so many good things that can help the festival,” said McEwen.
She went on to note that the 2022 Pacific Rim Whale Festival may feature a twist on a historical favourite, plus a new tradition is destined to emerge with Ucluelet’s Heartwood Kitchen aiming to broadcast a cooking demonstration dubbed Marvelous Mollusks to honour the return of the migrating whales.
Stay tuned to the festival website at www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com for a complete calendar of events.
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