What to do in the Creston Valley

Only a few minutes north of Creston along Highway 3A, you can fish in Kootenay Lake, known for its Gerard Rainbow Trout as well as Kokanee and Bull Trout. Just a short distance south of Kootenay Lake is Duck Lake known for its Wide Mouth Bass.

Creston hosts the annual Creston Valley Blossom Festival on the Victoria Day long weekend to celebrate what the valley is best known for -- its fruit. The festival opens on the Friday night with musical entertainment and features the Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday including a street festival, a classic car show and a chili cook-off along with other events. The Annual Yaqan Nuki Powwow happens this weekend as well, with dancers and drummers from Idaho, Montana, and surrounding area. For those that like a little action, there is the Kitchener Annual Demolition Derby held at the Kitchener Airport grounds. A special Children's Parade is held on the Monday of the May Long Weekend. The original intent of the Blossom Festival was to bring the community together to celebrate spring

The May Long Weekend also sees the opening of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area's Wildlife Interpretation Centre located 7 km from Creston west on Highway 3 is home to more than 280 species of birds, 57 species of mammals and 29 species of fish,

reptiles and amphibians. The 17,000 acre reserve, designated a World RAMSAR site, offers 32 km of walking trails with two birding towers, as well as guided canoe tours and children's programs. In spring this area is also a flyway and resting spot for many species as well as home to Pelicans, Swans, Osprey, Great Blue Herons and a variety of songbirds.

The Creston Valley is a haven for artists skilled in a wide variety of disciplines. The Annual Creston Valley and Eastshore Art Walk / Drive begins every year in mid-May right through the September Labour Day Long Weekend. Artists galleries and businesses are open to the public from Riondel, Crawford Bay through Creston to Yahk offering everything from blown and stained glass, pottery and ceramics, beadwork, fabric art, candle making, ironwork, and even straw brooms. You can view artists creating works in their home galleries welcoming visitors to see paintings of every description.

Due to the Creston Valley's mild climate, golf season can start mid-March and usually runs until the end of October. Visitors to the Creston Valley have two golf courses just minutes away to choose from. The Creston Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 with amazing scenery and mountain views from every hole. This course has been recognized as one of the BC Interior's most beautiful, fun and challenging courses. Wildlife viewing is quite common on this course.

The par-3, Canyon Heights Golf Course has a range of 70 to 165 yards from tee to green with an 18-hole putting range. The scenery is breath-taking with a view of the Creston Valley and close-up of the majestic Skimmerhorns, part of the Purcell mountain range. This is a perfect course for new golfers or families.

Creston also has the Cheyenne Creek Mini Golf located right on Northwest Boulevard. This course features waterfalls and a creek crisscrossed by rustic bridges. Misters spray cool water near one of the holes giving players a reprieve from the summer heat.

The Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is one of Canada's finest championship golf courses with beautiful views of Kootenay Lake, long driving fairways, rolling greens, immaculate course upkeep and the ability to interest and challenge golfers of all levels. Kokanee Springs is located one hour north on highway 3A up Kootenay Lake's East Shore beside the 60-room Kokanee Lodge. Just twenty minutes away is the nine-hole Riondel Golf Course, a few minutes off Highway 3A on Riondel Road.

There are many Hiking/Biking Trails throughout the Creston Valley to entice those interested in the flora and fauna of the area. The variety of trails offers a wide variety of landscapes, wildlife and serenity, as well as various levels of ease or difficulty. Go for a hike on the Lady Slipper Trail, located north of Creston atop Goat Mountain where you may have an opportunity to see one of these beautiful orchids or hike up the Balancing Rock Trail on Mount Creston, overlooking the Creston Valley.

Visit Creston Valley's first winery, the Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard for a tour and wine tasting or make a reservation at their Bistro (mid-May thru October) where you can enjoy their delicious in-season specialties on their tree-canopied deck overlooking the valley.

The Kokanee Sasquatch is on display in front of the Columbia Brewery, open for tours throughout the summer season and by appointment off season. Visit their Beer Gear Store for many unique Columbia Brewery Gifts. They have just launched the addition of Alexander Keith Ale, brewed right in Creston.

There are many Fruit and Vegetable Markets along Highway 3 as you drive into Creston from the East. They all supply Creston Valley fruit, vegetables, juice and a variety of other home-made items. There is also U-Pick Strawberry, Raspberry and Saskatoon Berry farms along with an Adopt-a Cherry Tree at Cherrybrook Farms.

If you want to pick strawberries almost year round, or taste the best blueberries and cherries in- season, visit the Blueberry Patch Country Market. Their Strawberry Pavilion is a must see! Enjoy a delicious lunch and freshly baked berry dessert. This Country Market includes unique country giftware and much more!! Treat yourself in their New Candy Cottage. Kids can have fun at their animal play park. Learn about their crops in a free self-guided tour.

The Creston Museum & Archives' newly renovated South Wing (soon to be known as Founders' Hall) is ready for viewing. The newly created exhibits include the Barber Shop; Mining; Exploration; Agriculture Tomorrow; Church Display, Blacksmith Shop and Native display. Don't forget the Seventh Siding Trackers Model Railway of the CPR through the Creston Valley. The Museum holds many different events throughout the season, such as the display of Model "A's", the Antique Tractor and Engine Show, Old-fashioned Games Day for children, Old Fashioned Tea in August and the annual Quilt Show and Sale in September, with new quilts and needlework for sale & heirloom quilts on display.

The Creston and District Recreation Complex comes alive with the Annual Goat Style Bike Festival held in July. This Open Mountain Bike Competition attracts riders from Australia, New Zealand, eastern Canada and the United States with unbelievable jumps and stunts.

The Annual Creston Valley Fest takes place at the Mt. Park RV Resort in July with live music throughout the weekend.

If you enjoy theatre, the Footlighters Theatre Society performs a variety of productions throughout the year ranging from comedies to thrillers, musicals to plays, concerts to melodramas. In August the troupe performs "Shakespeare in the Park IV" with scenes from Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Othello, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet outdoors in Millenium Park.

Ride Guide Coverage of the Goat Style bike jam in the Creston Valley

Part One

Part Two

Goat Style bike jam in the Creston Valley