Courtenay is located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island’s east coast. The town is quite close to Comox, about four kilometers west of it.[1] Courtenay is a commercial center that also serves as a base for the surrounding recreational areas. There are many campsites, fishing lodges, hiking trails, and golf courses in the Courtenay vicinity. Nearby, the slopes of Mount Washington and Forbidden Plateau of Strathcona Park offer skiing in the winter.[2]
Courtenay was first incorporated in 1915 and named after the British Captain, George William Courtenay. Because it is situated at the northern terminus of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway, the town can be easily reached by train if not by car along provincial Highway 19A.[3]
Attractions
The main attraction of Courtenay is Mount Washington Alpine Resort. In winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowtubing, and snow shoeing there. In the summer, the resort offers trails for mountain biking and hiking.[4]
Courtenay also has a museum, the Museum of Courtenay and Regional District. It features historical exhibits and a fossil tour of the local rivers.[5]
In the summer, like its neighbor Comox, Courtenay holds a number of festivals and events. The most prominent one is the Island Music Fest, the largest musical festival on Vancouver Island. It takes place in the Comox Valley in July and many people gather and camp in the area to enjoy various musical performers strut their stuff.[6] Another event for music lovers is the early June, North Island Hot Jazz Festival with performances of jazz and dance held at the Florence Filberg Centre.[7]
Another highlight is the Showcase Festival, which features repertory theatre performances of song, dance, and drama. The event begins on the second week of August and runs for two weeks. Families and kids should also stay for the Comox Valley Exhibition Fall Fair in late August, an event that welcomes over 15,000 people each year. You’ll find various entertainment and activities for kids and families, including arts and crafts, livestock, and music performances.[8]
In mid-May, there is an Art & Bloom Festival that takes place at the Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens. The show features various painters, sculptors, gardeners, and potters presenting a variety of art forms. It is also a perfect time to visit the gardens around this time of year when thousands of rhododendrons and spring flowers bloom.[9]
References:
Carroll, Donald. Insider’s Guide Canada. Edison: Hunter Publishing, Inc, 1996. ISBN: 1556507100.
“Courtenay.” < http://www.world66.com/northamerica/canada/britishcolumbia/courtenay>
“Courtenay, British Columbia.” < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtenay%2C_British_Columbia>
[1] Courtenay, British Columbia
[2] Carroll, 79
[3] Courtenay, British Columbia
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Courtenay
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
| 
