Location
- Ginseng is a popular crop in Lillooet.
- The Apricot Tsaqwem Festival is held in July.
- The Lillooet golf course has roaming sheep to trim grass.
A product of the gold rush, Lillooet was once the largest settlement in British Columbia and the Mile "0" Cairn, which marks the beginning of the famous Cariboo Trail, is located here. During the great gold rush, thousands of prospectors and traders used Lillooet as a starting point in their ventures to the interior of the province.
Lillooet boasts a rich First Nations history and was once known as Cayoosh Flat because of its good grazing for cayuses (Indian ponies). The community was renamed in the 1860s in honour of the Lellwat First Nations people who live in the region. Lillooet is located on the banks of the Fraser River on the Cariboo Trail in south central BC.
Once a popular stopover for prospectors in search of gold, Lillooet today is a tranquil town with breathtaking mountain and valley views. Forestry, tourism and farming are the main industries in the area. Ginseng is one of Lillooet's most important crops thanks to the hot dry summers and generally moderate winters. Residents enjoy a first-class recreation centre that offers swimming, skating, and curling. Fishing, river rafting, hiking and golf are popular outdoor pursuits.
Lillooet has one of the most pleasant climates in Canada, a combination of the sunny skies of the BC interior and the moderating influence of the coast. During the summer, the temperatures average around 25-30 degrees Celsius with much sunshine. Mild winter temperatures range from -15 to +5 with very little snow.
The two main industries in Lillooet are forestry and tourism. While forestry predominates, the tourism industry is increasingly important to the area. Farming also plays a role with particular emphasis on heat-loving crops such as ginseng and tomatoes. The 2010 Winter Olympics are expected to boost Lillooet's economy.
Information was provided by Health Match BC and from local community websites. Other information has come from a variety of sources including the BCMA and health professionals within the communities. Pictures have been provided by www.picturebc.ca or community members. Please contact us at info@rccbc.ca with any information updates for your community.
