Sasquatch Days

Celebrate Living History

June 17th & 18th, 2023

The very first Sasquatch Days had taken place on May 23rd & 24th of 1938 and was attended by over 2000 First Nations people from across Canada and United States. Be part of living history as you join us on the shores of Harrison Lake, the traditional territory of Sts’ailes people on the ancient village site of Qwólts and attend our war canoe races, salmon BBQ, medicine walks and more.

We raise our hands to you in respect and gratitude for joining us for our 12th Annual Sasquatch Days, which is co-hosted by the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the nation of Sts’ailes. This historic event aims to share Sts’ailes culture and traditions in this beautiful location on the shores of Harrison Hot Springs. As hosts, we are proud to endorse this event with the support of the Harrison Festival Society, Tourism Harrison and the many volunteers who make it possible. We are honored for this opportunity to work together as one and put forth an amazing event for you! We hope you take the time to enjoy the beauty of this territory and be a part of living history.

Schedule of Events

Be part of this historic event

JUNE 17

8:30 AM- 9:30 AM

Canoe Registration

9:00 AM

Sasquatch Procession | Opening Ceremony

9:30 AM

Canoe Skipper’s Meeting & VIP Paddle

10:00 AM

Canoe Races | Artisans and Vendors Open

11:00 AM

Salmon BBQ & Bannock Lunch (until sold out)

11:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Free Medicine Walks (more details below)

JUNE 18

9:00 AM

Information Table Open

9:30 AM

Elder’s Prayer | Skippers Meeting

10:00 AM

Canoe Races Open

Artisans & Vendors Open

11:00 AM

Salmon BBQ & Bannock Lunch (until sold out)

11:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Free Medicine Walk (more details below)

3:00 PM

Closing Prayer

Participate in the ancient healing tradition of the medicine walk. Sts’ailes will be offering 2 free guided medicine walks per day (June 17 and 18) at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There is limited spacing available so we encourage all participants who are interested to register early at the INFO booth. The INFO booth will be located just north of the Civic Centre Plaza- look for the “land of the Sasquatch” on the side of the tent.

The procession will depart from St. Alice Street at 9:00 AM and will parade towards the Civic Centre Plaza. From there you may enjoy the opening ceremonies. The opening ceremonies include an opening prayer from a local elder, opening statements from Chief Leon and local dignitaries, and will conclude with a welcome song and dance from the talented Sts’ailes Sasquatch dancers. The opening ceremony will be followed by a VIP paddle.

On behalf of the Sasquatch Days Committee, I would like to invite you to participate as a sponsor for 10th Annual Sasquatch Days on June 17 & 18, 2023 at Harrison Hot Springs BC. This historic event will bring Sts’ailes back to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs for two days of games, fun and excitement. This intercultural celebration will include traditional war canoe races, traditional food, medicine walks, arts & craft vendors, and entertainment. Partnering with Sasquatch Days entitles you to the following benefits:

1) Sasquatch Sponsor- $2500.00

Your logo displayed on the official Sts’ailes & Harrison Hot Springs Websites
A Charitable Tax Receipt
Newspaper Recognition (Agassiz Harrison Observer).
An open invitation to attend the event
Public acknowledgement at the event
Your logo displayed in the Sasquatch Days 2023 Event Program
Table space at no cost to advertise and/or sell items

2) Salmon Sponsor- $2000.00

Your logo displayed on the official Sts’ailes & Harrison Hot Springs Websites
A Charitable Tax Receipt
Newspaper Recognition (Agassiz Harrison Observer).
An open invitation to attend the event
Public acknowledgement at the event
Your logo displayed in the Sasquatch Days 2023 Event Program

3) River Sponsor- $1000.00

A Charitable Tax Receipt
An open invitation to attend Sasquatch Days
Public acknowledgement at the event

4) Cedar Sponsor- $500.00

A Charitable Tax Receipt
An open invitation to attend Sasquatch Days

Join us this year in providing another exceptional opportunity to create understanding and friendships, and to build on an event that Sts’ailes and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs welcome all peoples to participate and enjoy.

If you would like to support this event, please identify which level you will be participating in and make cheque payable to “Sts’ailes”.

Yalh yexw kw’es hoy (Thank you)

Sincerely,

Sasquatch Days Committee

Sponsorship Coordinator

Calling all Vendors! We are looking for local handicraft and artisan vendors to participate in Sasquatch Days in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. We have limited vendor spacing available, contact Stephanie at [email protected] for more information.

Stay

Racers may stay at any one of our local accommodations. The racers are also welcome to camp overnight in the overflow parking area located on the corner of Hot Springs Road and Miami River Drive.

Canoe Etiquette

Please respect the loving time and hand power that has gone into creating these beautiful canoes. Some of these canoes are very old and looked after with loving care. Do not touch the canoes! Do not walk under the canoes! Canoes have the right-of-way!

Skipper’s Meeting

Skipper’s Meetings will be held at the MC Tent.

Loading and Unloading Canoes

Loading and unloading canoes will be done off Esplanade Avenue. A ROAD CLOSURE IN EFFECT JUNE 17- 6 AM -11 AM | JUNE 18 – 6 AM – 8 AM, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM to facilitate the canoe launch.

HOT SPRINGS ROAD from LILLOOET AVE to ESPLANADE AVE
ESPLANADE AVENUE from HOT SPRINGS ROAD to ST. ALICE ST

Race Rules

Skips must have 1 foot on the ground at the starting line
All canoes must start in between the starter flags
All canoes MUST complete a left hand turn around buoys
All canoes MUST finish at marked line, for 6’s & 11’s races, the finish line will be between marked buoys
NO hooking, NO holding opponents canoes. NO clubbing
Jr. Buckskin U13 and Buckskin U16 require ID
Any conflicts will be determined by judges on shore and boats
No restrictions on canoes or paddles (i.e. stripped canoes allowed)
Racers must finish in between the green buoys
No racers are permitted to purposely hold buoy’s at any turn or finish line, if this should happen, the canoe will be disqualified
In order to protest you MUST be a participant of the race and MUST go to the MC table within 5 minutes of coming to shore.
Judges decisions are FINAL
Skipper’s Meeting at 9:30 AM on both days races will start at 10:00 AM
Travel Money will be paid out to all canoe clubs who register and attend races on BOTH days
Prize money will be awarded after each race at the MC Table (next to plaza).

Parking

Pay parking is in effect in Harrison Hot Springs along Esplanade Avenue, St. Alice Street, Maple Street, Chehalis Street, and Spruce Street. Learn more.

Race Information coming soon!