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Barkerville hosting Canadian National Gold Panning Championships

The Canadian National Gold Panning Championships are being held in Barkerville Aug. 10-11

The Canadian National Gold Panning Championships are being held in Barkerville Aug. 10-11 to help celebrate Billy Barker’s legendary gold strike with a spirited and friendly competition featuring a huge range of categories for all ages and skill levels.

Presented by Integris Credit Union and Barkerville Historic Town, the championships feature exciting prizes that will inspire the very best in competition. This year, the person to beat will be two-time winner and Wells local Karen St. John.

“Everyone who comes has a great time,” says James Douglas, Barkerville’s Visitor Experiences manager.

“Whether you’re an experienced panner or someone who’s never done it before, you’ll find an incredibly supportive atmosphere at the event.”

Hosted by Barkerville’s own seven-time World Invitational Gold Panning Champion, Scott Rea, the 2013 Canadian National Gold Panning Championships is a two-day event with categories that include child, adult, seniors, professionals, teams, dash for the dentist (children’s candy-hunt), scavenger pile (adult free-for-all), grudge match, and King of the Creek (ultimate contest for bragging rights and a $1000 cash prize).

Each category has cash prizes and sponsored gifts for the winners and anyone can participate, provided they register 10 minutes prior to each event.

“If you want bragging rights to call yourself King or Queen of Williams Creek, you’ve got know you’ll be dealing with some of the nastiest panning material around,” says Rea.

“We don’t fool around in Barkerville. You’ve got to go through what the original prospectors went through here in the 1860s, using the same kind of gold pan ... and no compromises.”

Says Dan Wingham, Engagement & Communications manager at Integris Credit Union: “We are pleased to partner with Barkerville and Scott Rea in promoting this event.

“I was blown away with the history and importance of the competition and quality of the people organizing it. On behalf of the members of Integris, best of luck to the competitors and thanks for visiting Integris country.”

For more information on the Gold Panning Championships and Barkerville special events, visit www.barkerville.ca.