Join us for Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations

“A Celebration of our Community and Heritage”

Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations

The Friends of Bouchie-Milburn Society (FoBM) in partnership with other groups, are looking forward to hosting the 3rd Annual Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations on the last weekend of May. Our vision for the event is as follows:

Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations will be a community based, inclusive, and collaborative event that will involve many individuals and groups. The event’s focus will be on coming together through celebrating our community’s history with an emphasis on the contribution that the Métis, First Nations and early settlers made to the development of the region.

May 27, 2019 marks the 117th year since Lizette Allard Boucher and William Boucher (“Billie Bouchie”) pre-empted 320 acres of land in the area thereby becoming Bouchie Lake’s first permanent settlers. Travel into our community was by way of the Collins Overland Telegraph Trail which is now the Blackwater Road. A celebration like what is proposed is especially fitting as Billie and Lizette Boucher were both Métis. Billie’s father was Jean Baptiste Boucher who accompanied Simon Fraser on his expedition of the river that now bears his name. Jean Baptiste was also known as “Waccan” (watchman) to the local First Nations thereby explaining “Waccan Road” on Bouchie Lake. Billie was born in Fort Alexandria south of Quesnel.

The first Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations was held in 2017 and was hosted by the Bouchie to Baker Network / BBN and the Bouchie Lake Community Association. At that event, the BBN launched the “Best of Bouchie to Baker Business Directory”. In 2018, the event was much larger and solely organised by the Friends of Bouchie-Milburn Society. Planning for this year’s event is well underway. We have many committed partners and there is room for many more. Grants have been written to support the event and these will be announced as soon as we hear if we were successful. Regardless, the event will be amazing and will build on the successes of the last 2 years.

Thus far, the following is planned:

An event that is entirely free to the public. It will be held predominantly outdoors under tents on the grounds of Bouchie Lake Recreation.
All revenue generated through donations, sponsorship, vendor / tradeshow booths and /or the silent auction will go towards supporting the 2019 Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations or will be held over for the 2020 Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations;
Tents will be set up which will house demonstrations, displays, dancing, workshops / seminars, hands on activities, entertainment, storytelling, musicians, and more;
Farmers Market / Vendor Booths and non-profit Trade show;
The Equestrian Arena will be used for equestrian related activities and demonstrations;
A Talent Show showcasing local arts, crafts and musicians will hopefully be incorporated into the event;
We are planning to bring in magician Jesaja Class from the Nemiah Valley which will most certainly enhance the event; and
We are hoping to include local schools.

For information on Billie Bouchie Day Celebrations and how to get involved, please our Event Email address: billiebouchieday@gmail.com

Sponsorship Package

We hope the that you and /or your group and /or business will join us in this celebration. There are many ways you can be involved. Click to download the 2019 sponsorshop package and find out more.

Partner Programme

Click to download the Partner Programme package.

Although the event is scheduled from 10 am to 10 pm, vendors and partners are not expected to remain on-site until 10 pm. Food Vendors are encouraged to stay through the supper hour whereas other vendors / booths should expect to stay until 4-5 pm. Please note that there will be no vehicle movement within the grounds once the event is underway. Thank you