Pender Harbour | Sunshine Coast BCFour small villages located around the harbour - Madeira Park, Kleindale, Garden Bay, Irvine's Landing and Egmont are known as the community of Pender Harbour, which is frequently called the "Venice of the North". Everyone and everything around the harbour are connected by water, and traveling by boat is usually the quickest way to get around.
Pender Harbour has a mild temperate climate, wonderful scenery, and provides habitats for a wide variety of plants and wildlife.
In and around the lush evergreen forest you can find ferns, Oregon grape, salal, skunk cabbage, wild bleeding heart, lilies, columbine, broom and wild berries. Near the rocky coast you can find meadows with wildflowers growing alongside moss, lichen and sedum.
Gardeners in Pender Harbour grow flowers and fresh vegetables throughout almost the entire year, with palms, winter roses, and marvelous rhododendrons among the highlights.
The warm, clear seawater abounds with plants and animals, and no less authority than Jacques Cousteau called Pender Harbour one of the best locations for diving in the world.
It is an area rich in history and culture. There are many historical buildings relating to the harbour's early development for fishing and logging, and the Madeira Park Cultural Centre offers many treats in the way of arts and entertainment.
Pender Harbour can be reached by taking a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, or from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove. A short drive from either of these terminals will get you right to the harbour.
Here is a sampler of the attractions and events in Pender Harbour:
Pender Harbour Blues Festival
Don't miss the three-day, annual Blues Festival held in Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Kleindale, organized by the Pender Harbour Blues Society. Blues fans will get their thirsty ears filled at both ticketed and free events.
Pender Harbour Music
Speaking of musical delights, each month the Pender Harbour Music School at the cultural centre hosts a concert by some of the area's finest players performing in a wide variety of exciting styles.
On Sunday, Mar. 6 hear the fantastic Joe Trio playing both classical favourites, and their own neo-classical versions of rock, pop and folk music, such as their Black Dog Rondo and the hilarious Simpsymphony.
Then on Saturday, Apr. 16 swing and sway to the rhythmically pumping Latin jazz fusion of Rumba Calzada.
And on Saturday May 14 get an a capella fix of everything from The Beatles to gospel from The Euphorics - with Joani Bye.
Admission to each concert is an easy to take $20, and the events start at 8:00 pm.
Egmont Heritage Centre
The Egmont Heritage Centre museum is right across from the Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park in Egmont.
There you can see an excellent display of local, natural and Native history. Gearheads will especially enjoy the collection of Easthope and Vivian engines used back in the day; and antique buffs will drool over the Depression glass and antique bottles.
Mushroom Fest
Each October the Sunshine Coast Society for the Hunting, Recognition and Observation of Mushrooms (SHROOM) puts on the Sunshine Coast Mushroom Fest. Attendees can learn from the experts about all the edible and non-edible varieties of fungi growing wild in the Pender Harbour area. There is also an opportunity to feast on these forest delicacies as prepared by some of the best mushroom chefs anywhere.
Attack of Danger Bay
Each May the long downhill, twisting roads of the Pender Harbour area draw longboarders from all over the globe to ride the optimally sloped curves at speeds up to 45 mph., when
Coast Longboarding puts on the weekend long Attack of Danger Bay, one of the most famous longboarding events in the world. This is an International downhill longboard race week with $8,000 in prizes.
In addition there are slide competitions, outlaw races, and longboard hockey, not to mention an all-ages show with live music, prizes and Mohawk haircuts.
April Tools Challenge
In this event at Seafarer's Park, participants must build a wooden boat in three hours, then race it for cash prizes totaling $1350.00. There is also a small boat show, boating demonstrations, and children's activities. The entry fee is $160.00. The event is organized by The Living Heritage Society.
Pender Harbour May Day
Pender Harbour's May Day celebration has been a don't miss celebration for over sixty years. Join residents for the annual parade, a fly-over, live music, face painting, the beer garden, dances, contests, games, and the great local food. The PH Community Club hosts the event.
Garden Bay Classic Fishing Derby
Did you guess there'd be fishing? The fishing derby offer three days of piscine bliss. Of course there are prizes, including $1,000 cash for largest salmon, but the fun alone is worth the $100 entry fee. Register at Garden Bay Pub
Rhododendron Festival
Ron and Carla Knight of Caron Gardens are the local experts in the growing of rhododendrons They have more than 100 species of rhododendrons and companion plants growing in their lakeside gardens. Not only do they experiment with the development of these spectacular flowers, but they also hold workshops at which they teach others the techniques they have honed over the years. They run tours from April to September, when the displays are at their finest. And hold a Rhododendron Festival every May at which admission is free.
Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre
The Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre operated by the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society (http://www.lagoonsociety.com/) is the ideal place for children and adults to learn about nature and environmental conservation. Stroll along its many trails and view entertaining displays of local flora and fauna, or attend one of their highly informative presentations and workshops. The centre is also the venue for many nature related events, such as the annual Mushroom Festival, and Family Fun Bioblitz, a family fun day of guided nature walks, bird house building, a turtle walk, pond exploration, face painting, games and free food for kids.
Pender Harbour Real Estate
Lotusland Real Estate can help you find the right place to live on the Sunshine Coast BC. If you are looking to move or sell your home, then check out our Pender Harbour Real Estate listings.
