| Welcome | Monthly Calendar | B.C. Fiddle ‘Treat | Special Events |
Branch # 3 Quesnel
Quesnel, the Gold Pan City, has a population of 10,000 with a total population of more than 23,000 in the greater service area. It is located on Hwy 97, route north to Barkerville, the Bowron Lake Chain, Prince George and the Yukon.
Each year on the 3rd weekend of July, the city hosts Billy Barker Days, a four day festival in recognition of Quesnel’s unique history dating back to pre- colonization when it was the major fishing camp of the Carrier Nation. In 1793 Alexander Mackenzie followed the historic Grease Trail from here on his way to the Pacific Ocean. Jules-Maurice Quesnel , with Simon Fraser, arrived in 1808. Both men have lent their names to the two rivers that meet here. With the discovery of gold in the Cariboo, Quesnel became the main stopping point and supply station for the sternwheelers, prospectors, and all the traffic on the Cariboo Wagon Road heading to the goldfields. Billy Barker was only one of the many prospectors and entrepreneurs who sought for gold in the Cariboo.
History of BR#3 Quesnel
The Quesnel Old Time Fiddlers began in 1969 when an enthusiastic group got together and formed a club to promote the music they loved to hear, play, and dance to. An executive was set up, dances were held and regular meetings began the work of forming a society, complete with a constitution and by- laws. In November of 1974 the formal documents were signed, witnessed and registered. The club was now officially known as Quesnel Old Time Fiddlers.
Fiddle Contests popular, at that time, were held in many communities, often in bars. Quesnel held it’s first contest in the Quesnel Legion Hall in 1969 and continued until 2022. Contests were the highlight of the year and lasted for three days with Friday jams, Saturday contest, and Sunday pancake breakfast (and more fiddling).
The first BC Fiddle Treat was held in Wells BC from 1994 to 1997. In 1998 it moved to the BC Forest Service Camp at Gavin Lake where it remains today. At first only fiddle, guitar, and keyboard instruction were offered. Today lessons in accordion, and mandolin are also available. The Fiddle Treat is a great family affordable event with the lake, music, evening dances, and campfire.
Membership
- Our membership is now sitting at 10
Regular meetings / Jams
- Jams/Practices are Wednesday afternoon It is open to all musicians, members and guests.
Bursaries
Bursaries for the Fiddle Treat at Gavin Lake are available to children wanting to improve their skills with the instruments offered.
Contact
- Quesnel Old Time Fiddlers
- Box 4017
- Quesnel B. C. V2J 3J2
- (250) 992-5081
- jean3gelinas@gmail.com
Executive for 2026:
- PRESIDENT: Janice Meyer
- VICE PRESIDENT: Rosemarie Way
- SECRETARY: Gloria Weber
- TREASURER: Jean Gelinas
- DIRECTORS, Edna Lansdowne, Debbie Harrington, Anita Mamela
Special Events –
B.C. Fiddle ‘Treat 2026 at Gavin Lake BC– July 27 to July 31