The night was perfect, clear and cold with a big bright moon and the appropriate amount of mist that danced on the water of the Bedford Channel and twisted and turned through the grave stones at the Fort Langley Cemetery. Guiding us by lantern, our guide Aman began by telling us that the stories they had chosen to tell were the best and most validated by the people who live and work in Fort Langley. What we would learn is that Aman himself had a little first-hand experience of his own.

In general the history of Fort Langley is very interesting. People visit the area to see the Historic Site where the Hudson’s Bay Company once served as a trading post in the 1800’s. Fort Langley was also the location of the proclamation of British Columbia as a Crown Colony in 1858. People came to the area to seek their fortune. These historical events do provide the framework of the Grave Tales stories, but the spine-chilling tales involving people from this time will haunt you.

As we wandered through the village the stories got better and better and I was sufficiently spooked by the end of the tour and we were left to explore the deserted Fort Langley National Historic Site. Now, I’m not going to share the stories I heard – you will have to find out for yourself – but I will let you know that I will be looking over my shoulder for unsettled spirits on my next visit to Fort Langley.

Grave Tales geared toward an adult audience and begins and ends at Fort Langley National Historic Site October 21, 22 & 23: 7pm, 8pm & 9pm October 28, 29 & 30: 7pm, 8pm & 9pm and runs in all weather. Tickets are $12.70 per person and it is recommended by purchasing well in advance. For more information or for tickets please call 604.513.4777.

This post was submitted by Chelsea.

Also in the evening on the 27th make sure to bring a blanket and some lawn chairs for a screening of “Mars Needs Moms”. Presented by Prospera Credit Union as part of “Prospera’s Cinema Under the Stars” series, the estimated start time is 8:30pm. For more information visit www.freshaircinema.ca info@freshaircinema.ca

On Sunday August 28th in addition to the International Festival, The Great Canadian Volkswagen Show will welcome approximately 5000 car enthusiasts and their families to the Langley Events Centre. Air cooled and water cooled, new and old will be on display and ready for judging throughout the park. Families can enjoy taking part in a variety of activities and vendors will be showcasing what’s hot on the market. Entry to the show is free for spectators. The fee for displaying your VW is $25 CAD (save $5 when you pre-reg and pre-order your show shirt at www.gcvws.com). Registration on Sunday morning takes place from 8am to 11am, space cannot be reserved or guaranteed.

The Langley Events Centre is located at 7888 200th St. Stop by the Langley Visitor Centre and say hi to our councilors while you’re here! Pick up a brochure or get some information on other upcoming events in Langley. www.tourism-langley.ca

Presented by the Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce ~ Chilliwack, Langley, Mission, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, Surrey and Abbotsford.

Location: Tradex ~ 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford

BE AN EXHIBITOR
You are invited to promote your business at the most inclusive Fraser Valley networking event of the year! An estimated 1500+ business owners and decision makers attendting. Space is limited! Click here for EXHIBITOR INFORMATION.

BE A GUEST
Meet hundreds of people from all over the Valley for the opportunity to expand your network. Explore approximately 200 exhibitors! Click here for your complimentary TICKETS TO ATTEND the show.

For more information or to register as an exhibitor or guest by phone, please call the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce at 604-859-9651.

A totally new concept is being launched in Langley. Back in the Saddle Again Trail Rides is offering a new way to enjoy horseback riding. Based on the concept of a limited membership (similar to a gym, spar or golf course membership), Back in the Saddle is offering membership in a horseback riding club. For the introductory fee of $200 per month, minimum 1-year contract, members are entitled to ride as often as they please.

People who would benefit from this membership would be serious horse enthusiasts who want to ride at least three times per month. Members can ride as often as they wish, and would have priority on time slots and choice of horses. The average cost just for basic care of a privately owned horse is $550 per month, so the economics of this program are obvious.

Darcy Campbell, owner of Back in the Saddle, has come up with this concept to reward loyal customers and to make horseback riding more affordable to people who would take advantage of frequent riding. In an interview, Darcy states that, “Horse ownership for an individual is too expensive and too time consuming for the average person.”

By having the ranch background and being able to buy feed in large quantities direct from the grower, by doing all basic veterinary work, and using resources not available to 1-horse owners, Darcy has kept prices down to a more reasonable level. On the other side of the coin, by members paying monthly, year-round, it allows a more even cash flow so budgeting is consistent.

Members book rides in advance and horses are delivered to the park saddled and ready to go. An evaluation is done and when members and staff are comfortable with member’s abilities, members can ride on their own. Members receive monthly newsletters that let members share stories and ideas. Members can also plan trips to more exotic places. Beach rides, cattle drives, etc…Game days and cattle penning are other ideas that Darcy would like to promote.

As a kick off, Back in the Saddle is offering the first 10 members that pay for a year in advance a price of an amazing $1,000. That is only $85 per month to ride as often as you want!

For more information, contact Darcy at 604-308-7358 or ridinginfo@yahoo.ca or go to www.backinthesaddle.ca

This post was submitted by Brenda B.

The whole finished project (engineered by Mr. Yamamoto, of Surrey) was pretty spectacular, and the years of  racing  there were incredible for all involved, the racers are still talking about actually being paid !!!

The passion of the members of the Langley Speedway Historical Society to revive “the track”  through  memorabelia, the gathering of  all those who were once involved and  using the  still pristine oval in creative ways for all to experience is so admirable and I can’t tell you how  pleased our Dad would be to think that his vision was being revisited as a  venue for such varied uses.  His family is also  so very pleased and certainly hopes the Langley Speedway Track will continue to  be visited and used by as many as possible.

Jamie Frazer  ( Craig Frazer’s daughter)

Paint the Town Red!

Go Red Langley t-shirts now available at the Tourism Langley Visitor Centre

7888 200th Street

at the Langley Events Centre

Available in child, youth and adult sizes!

GamesTown 2010 is a competition amongst BC communities to discover which community has the most Winter Games Spirit.  The City of Langley is looking for individuals and organizations in Langley who are making a difference in supporting individuals and organizations in Langley who are making a difference in supporting healthy living, environment sustainability and 2010 Winter Games spirit to help us win the grand prize.  Stories, photos and YouTube video clips can be uploaded to our community page www.gamestown2010.ca/Langley which shows everyone how the community supports healthy living and why Langley deserves the title ‘GamesTown 2010′!!

The City of Langley is eligible to win a grand prize of $100 000 which will be put toward improving a local sport or healthy living facility.

Let’s support our community and tell our story now!

Friends and I enjoyed a float plane adventure tour with Fort Langley Air Ltd which is located on River Road. The friendly pilot, Alex commented and interpreted a spectacular sight-seeing tour that started and ended on the Fraser River. We had a bird’s-eye view of the new Golden Ears bridge and mountains, Alouette Lake and the Fraser Valley. Everyone was pleasantly surprised at the smooth flight and landing. The “Golden Ears Mountain Tour” was definitely a highlight of the Langley visit!

View of McMillan Island and Fort Langley

This post was submitted by Heather.