Sasquatch Days is an annual festival with war canoe races, First Nations cultural performances and a salmon BBQ in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs.
Last year the festival took place on the Saturday and Sunday of the Father’s Day Weekend. In 2024 it happens a week later, on June 22nd and 23rd.
This article contains the following information about Sasquatch Days:
Sasquatch Days Event Details | Canoe Races | Salmon Barbeque | Sasquatch Days Schedule | Tips and Advice | Other Information
Sasquatch Days Festival
In 2024 the Sasquatch Days Festival takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of June 22nd and 23rd.
The free two-day family-friendly event includes live entertainment, canoe races, medicine walks and Indigenous artisan vendors.
Hundreds of families and other spectators set up their lawn chairs and canopy awnings during the weekend along the waterfront at Harrison Lake and dozens of war canoes line the beach. Race commentary is broadcast through loudspeakers and about 10 or so vendors sell souvenirs in the market.
Sasquatch Days Event Details
Jointly hosted by the local Sts’ailes First Nations and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Days usually runs on both days from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm on the Saturday and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on the Sunday.
Sasquatch Days takes place in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs. It’s about a two-hour drive east of Vancouver.
The primary focus of the event is definitely the canoe races, but there are other activities too.
Sasquatch Days Canoe Races
War canoe races take place throughout the day, usually starting at around 10:00 am on both the Saturday and Sunday. The races start slowly, after the rules are announced and racers are introduced. By around 10:30 am or a bit after, the junior racers hit the water. They are followed by increasingly older and more experienced competitors as the day progresses.
Sasquatch Days Salmon Barbeque
There is a traditional salmon BBQ which begins around 11:00 am each day. Prices and other details for the event in 2024 are to be confirmed.
For an idea on pricing, a lunch with one piece of fish, rice, potato salad and bannock cost $15 in 2019. Other food items for sale included Indian chilli tacos ($8), chilli with bannock ($5), bannock ($3) and fruit salad ($3).
Funds raised from the barbecue and other food sales in 2019 benefited the Sts’ailes Youth Canoe Club.
Sasquatch Days Schedule
The following was the schedule of events for 2023. The events for 2024 are to be confirmed:
Saturday, June 17th, 2023
- 8:30 am – Information table and canoe registration opens
- 9:00 am – Procession from St. Alice Street to Civic Centre Plaza
- 9:30 am – Canoe Skipper’s meeting and VIP Paddle
- 10:00 am – Start of the canoe races and the market
- 11:00 am – BBQ salmon and bannock sales begin. The first free Medicine Walk Tour also takes place (but you need to sign up for it)
- 1:00 pm – Medicine Walk Tour (free, but participants need to pre-register on the day)
Sunday, June 18th, 2023
- 9:00 am – Information table opens
- 9:30 am – Elder’s prayer and Canoe Skipper’s meeting
- 10:00 am – Start of the canoe races and the market
- 11:00 am – BBQ salmon and bannock sales begin. The first free Medicine Walk Tour also takes place (but you need to sign up for it)
- 1:00 pm – Medicine Walk Tour (free, but participants need to pre-register on the day)
- 3:00 pm – Closing prayer ceremony
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your Sasquatch Days experience.
TIP #1: Arrive early (e.g. before 10:00 am) if you hope to find parking anywhere near the waterfront.
TIP #2: Sasquatch Days isn’t a huge event. It’s a nice addition though to an already amazing place. Watch the canoe races, take part in a medicine walk and enjoy some barbecued salmon, but also plan to enjoy the beach, go for a stroll and explore the area.
TIP #3: The canoe competitions begin with the junior races most years. It’s not until later in the morning, towards noon, that the adults compete.
TIP #4: If you have kids, don’t forget to pack their swimsuits and sand toys.
TIP #5: Be sure to have a salmon for lunch. The fish is delicious, and funds raised benefit kids and their canoeing program.
Other Information
Sasquatch Days is a free cultural event that’s open to the public. For more information, see Sasquatch Days.
For other places and ways to experience First Nations culture, check out Lower Mainland First Nations.
To learn about the region and other things to do in the area, click Harrison Hot Springs or the Fraser Valley.
For other festivals throughout the year in Metro Vancouver, see the Festivals and Events Calendar.
Sasquatch Days often take place on or around Father’s Day weekend. For a list of other activities to do with dad and the family, click Metro Vancouver Father’s Day Activities.
