Attendance was down slightly at Barkerville this past season.
Stewart Cawood, the Manager of Public Programming & Media for Barkerville, goes over the numbers.
“This year we ended up with close to 30,000 people. Last year was more around 34,000 so it is down a little bit, but we’re still really happy with the turnout and with the good times that people were having when they were in Barkerville. Compared to 2024, which saw a 12 day closure due to the Antler Creek wildfire, that was I think closer to 25,000 so it’s up from that.”
Cawood says they once again had some things working against them this year.
“We had a few challenges this year, as the entire province did when highways closed down. It definitely effects our visitation, but we did have a good year and we were able to welcome people from over 40 countries and from all around the area and the region, and we were really happy with how it turned out.”
Cawood feels that they could approach 40,000 visitors if B.C. ever gets a quieter wildfire season.
Despite the overall numbers, He says it didn’t seem any less busy this year.
“We had a really great turnout at the Theatre Royal. We’re sitting at around 8,000 people, which was about where we were last year, so even though numbers were a bit down at the admission gate people were still going to the theatre show, still riding the stagecoach, so it still felt like the same amount of people were here as there were last year.”
Cawood says some of the shops remain open, despite the official season ending.
“The businesses that were taken over by the Lhtako Dene Nation are running until September 27. That’s the Eldorado Gift Shop, the McMahon’s Confectionery, the candy store there, as well as McPherson’s Jeweller, Mason & Daly and C. Strouss, they’re all going to be operating until September 27th, and many of our displays that you can walk into are still open so there is still some stuff to see. The walk in gate is open and people can come through anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.”
Cawood says their our Olde-Fashioned Christmas event is also scheduled for December 12 and 13.
He says next season is expected to open on May 29th.
Getting back to this past season, Cawood says he sends out a big thank you to Osisko Mining Development for their support, and also to the Quesnel Community Foundation who supported the Theatre Royal and helped to get many of their props built.
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