Every year, Northern Development funds several unique festivals and events throughout the service region through its Fabulous Festivals and Events program. This program is available to registered not-for-profit organizations to help fund festivals and events throughout the region that contribute to service sector revenues in the local economy. The program supports initiatives that promote Northern B.C. as a destination for tourism.
In 2024, Northern Development approved $100,000 in funding for 28 events that include music festivals, street festivals, rodeos, sled dog races and car shows to name a few.
Here are some events that have taken place already in 2024.
The 2024 Caledonia Classic Sled Dog Races were held February 2 to 4 in Fort St. James.
Dog mushing races are rare in Canada. This event is the only competitive race in British Columbia and is unusual in that if offers 200- and 100-mile distance races, along with sprint races and skijoring. This attracts top mushers and competitors from across the country (and even Europe) as well as offering the ability for new mushers to try out the sport and become involved. In 2024, 34 teams raced and approximately 100 spectators were on hand. Northern Development provided $2,500 to the Fort St. James Sled Dog Association for the 2024 event. The Trust also supported the sled dog races in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023.
Coldsnap was held in Prince George February 2 to 10. It was the 17th annual festival since Prince George Folkfest Society (PGFFS) moved the festival to the winter format. Over nine days, there were 12 ticketed performances (including two late night shows and a concert for kids) as well as 15 free-to-attend daytime events. This was the first year the PGFFS hosted all the mainstage performances at a single venue, the Knox Performance Centre, which is a new venue in downtown Prince George. Coldsnap 2024 hosted close to 3,000 attendees at paid performances and free-to-attend daytime events, as well as approximately 100 volunteers and 90 artists. Through the Fabulous Festivals and Events program, Northern Development provided a $5,000 grant to the PGFFS and has supported the festival annually since 2016.
Northern Development funded the Nechako Valley Rodeo in 2018, 2019, 2022 and in 2024. This annual event draws participants and spectators from across British Columbia and Alberta. The rodeo was held May 10 to 12 in Vanderhoof, with an estimated 245 participants and 2,400 spectators. The Nechako Valley Rodeo Association successfully applied for a $5,000 grant through the Fabulous Festivals and Events program.
