Every year in Fernie, visitors and locals alike praise the Griz with a huge winter festival, and this year from February 27th to March 1st, the town is even more excited to coax Griz to come out and play. This year’s Griz Days Winter Festival will feature a host of fun events that will delight everyone big and small.
Griz Days celebrates the legendary man called the Griz. According to Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano, the legend goes way back. “Griz was born in a bear cave, and the people of the area could hear a commotion, but they were too afraid to go up and see. Finally, a young boy emerged, wearing a bear coat and hat — he had won over a bear. The legend began. He grew to be a man with shoulders six feet wide and carried a musket. He would shoot the musket into the sky, bringing the world-class snow to the mountains for people to enjoy.”
The Pub – Street Hockey Tournament – Beer Gardens & BBQ
One of the more popular Griz Days events is the Pub Bar & Grill’s Classic Canadian Street Hockey Tournament. This year marks the 16th time the Park Place Lodge has hosted this tournament and attracts teams from as far away as Lethbridge and Kalispell. The event is also a popular affair with spectators who come out to cheer on the teams while enjoying the beer gardens and BBQ which is being hosted in conjunction with the Avalanche City Roller Girls.
For more information on all of the Griz Days happenings, visit the Tourism Fernie website or the Griz Days Facebook page.
