Get ready for a whale of a time! The North Coast Ecology Centre Society has collaborated with the Marine Mammal Research Program’s northern office, the North Coast Cetacean Research Institute (NCCRI) and other local partners to bring the Whale Fest to Prince Rupert for the 2nd year in a row. Proceeds from the Whale Fest will go towards the building of the North Coast Ecology Centre, a permanent education centre in Prince Rupert that will highlight the region’s ecological richness and provide education to residents and visitors alike through engaging exhibits and programs on terrestrial and marine species, habitats and conservation. Here are some of the awesome events that are taking place from May 9th-12th, 2019!
Thursday, May 9th, 2019: Presentation at the Prince Rupert Public Library, 7pm *FREE EVENT!*
Sonic Superpowers: Listening into the World of the Whales in the Great Bear Fjord system. Presentation by Ben Hendricks (UVic/Gitga’at First Nation/North Coast Cetacean Society/ WWF-Canada).
“The ocean is a world of sound. Where light fails to penetrate the deep, acoustics is the primary tool for whales to communicate, find pray, avoid predators, navigate, and attract mates. Whales are masters of sound and they are vulnerable to noise that humans generate through marine exploration and vessel traffic.”
Saturday, May 11th, 2019: Whale Festival, Prince Rupert Convention Centre from 10am-3pm *FREE EVENT!*
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Opening ceremony by the Northern Lights dancers!
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Build a full-size killer whale skeleton- Build a Whale!
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Interactive displays and activities
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Face painting and crafts for kids
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Prizes!
Build-A-Whale is an interactive program that aims to educate participants about marine biology, anatomy, evolutionary science and conservation. The program is hands-on and engaging as the audience assists in constructing the skeleton of an offshore killer whale and participating in several fun educational activities and games. Build-A-Whale is well traveled and well loved as she has visited facilities across Canada such as schools, markets, festivals, aquariums, elderly homes and more. Build-A-Whale is part of Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society who will lead this program for local schools in Prince Rupert and at the Whale Festival before continuing on with the killer whale to visit schools in Kitimat and Terrace and beyond.
Saturday, May 11th: Chowder & Dance Party Fundraiser, 5pm and 6:30pm *Advance tickets: $25, purchase at Fukasaku or Wheelhouse*
- Sustainable seafood chowder prepared by Dai Fukasaku – with scallops donated from Great Bear Scallops (Coastal Shellfish) and locally brewed beer at the Wheelhouse
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Two seatings available: 5pm and 6:30pm
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Live music @ 9pm with The Dearly Departed
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Wheelhouse Brewing feature beer: Killer Witt
Sunday, May 12th: Movie: Humpback Whales, Cineplex Cinemas 2pm *FREE EVENT-FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!*
Join us at the Cineplex for a free matinee, beverage and popcorn on Mothers Day’s to enjoy the family friendly Humpback Whale Documentary filmed by MacGillivray Freeman films.
Narrated by two-time Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor, Humpback Whales is an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammals. Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and Tonga, this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young. Captured for the first time with IMAX 3D cameras, and found in every ocean on earth, humpbacks were nearly driven to extinction 50 years ago, but today are making a slow but remarkable recovery. Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of the humpback and find out why humpbacks are the most acrobatic of all whales, why they sing their haunting songs, and why these intelligent, 55-foot, 50-ton animals migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip every year.
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