The 2015 Barkerville season resulted in a recent-history attendance record of 60,371 visitors between May 15 and Sept. 27.
It was the first year since 2010 that Barkerville has exceeded 60,000 guests.
A variety of factors impacted attendance, including a number of recent improvements to the town and park, amplified earned-media and marketing strategies, and increased overall provincial tourism numbers.
Three sesquicentennials (150th anniversaries) were also celebrated in Barkerville this season:
• The completion of Cariboo Waggon Road (spelled with two Gs in 1865);
• The first edition of Barkerville’s Cariboo Sentinel newspaper (June 6, 1865); and
• The first performance of the Cariboo Amateur Dramatic Association (June 17, 1865)
In addition to Barkerville’s three sesquicentennial anniversaries, the Barkerville Heritage Trust (BHT) celebrates its 11th “birthday” on Oct. 29, 2015.
The BHT is Barkerville’s operating and managing partner, working with the government of British Columbia, Barkerville’s owner and statutory guardian.
“Having managed Barkerville for more than a decade now, the Barkerville Heritage Trust would like to thank all of our visitors, partners, and supporters for contributing to the continued success and sustainability of the town and park,” says BHT chair Don Bassermann.