Nicola Valley British Columbia Canada including the City of Merritt, Lower Nicola, Quilchena and the surrounding First Nation lands.

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

Our tribute to Legends of Yesterday

“Merritt is where the stars come to play.”

Inside one of the oldest heritage buildings in the heart of downtown Merritt is the home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. This national museum showcases

Ian Tyson’s plaque.

plaques for over 100 Canadian Country Music inductees.

Some of the inductees featured at the hall are:

  • Ian Tyson
  • Hank Snow
  • Ronnie Prophet
  • Gary Buck
  • Anne Murray
  • Gordon Lightfoot
  • Wilf Carter …………and many more!

 

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

Country Music Hall of Fame – Downtown Merritt BC, Canada

What’s inside – Sites and Sounds

Tour a building over 100 years old .  Vinyl records play on a vintage turntable and echo through the hall.  Hundreds of records in a growing collection are available for viewing and listening..

Plaques of Inductees

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame hosts a display of plaques honouring inductees of the Canadian Country Music Association.  They are recognized for their involvement and contribution to country music: singers, songwriters, actors/actresses, managers, sponsors, funders, talent scouts, promoters, musicians, radio and television personnel, yodelers and more.

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

Memorabilia on display from the National Music Centre.

National Music Centre Memorabilia!

View a rotating collection of Canadian Country Music memorabilia that is currently displayed at the hall.

  • Ian Tyson’s hat and cowboy boots
  • Gary Buck’s suit  
  • Wilf Carter’s white performance suit.

These displays are courtesy of the National Music Centre.

The Walk of Stars begins!

Dozens of  “Walk of Stars” handprints are displayed in the centre of the Hall.   Photo albums and framed pictures  capture the visits of past Country Stars who graced our community. 

Going Digital! – More things to see!

Paul Brandt, the Hall’s newest inductee, will be on display digitally with new inductees. Touch the screen and view a plaque, song and bio of some of our greatest country stars! he Canadian Country Music Association recognize all the inductees.

About our Community!

As the Canadian Country Music Capital of Canada, the City of Merritt is a great fit for the Canadian country Music Hall of Fame.  Located in British Columbia’s southern interior. Merritt celebrates country music with a number of events and activities like our week-long Country Christmas and famous light-up parade, Music in the Park & Square and the Rockin’ River Country Music Festival.  Merritt and the Nicola Valley are the perfect showcase for the gritty western heritage and traditional ranching culture which was shaped by our unique landscape.  

Things to do – Walk among the stars!

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

Handprints on display throughout Merritt.

 The stars come to play in Merritt. Hunt down the handprints of over 60 country music stars  throughout the city – from old time, best loved singers like Johnny Cash and Tanya Tucker to modern icons like Tim McGraw, Aaron Pritchett and Terri Clark. Find them all!  Place your hand where your favourite country performers have left their mark. Try them and find your match.

Things to see – Murals!

Walk of Stars Mural Project

This project transformed Merritt into the largest country music art gallery you will ever visit. See over 30 country artists murals painted on our downtown buildings including:

  • CMT mural
  • Men of Canadian Country Mural with Paul Brandt, George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett
  • Alan Jackson
  • Women of Canadian Country with Michelle Wright, Caroline Dawn Johnson and Lisa Brokop… and many more.

Have fun posing with your favourite performers. World renowned muralist, Michelle Loughery has brought our community and country music stars to life.

Things to look forward to – 10 Hall of Famers team up with 10 up and coming Canadian artists.

The first ever Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame album was recently recorded. Some of the artists that recorded are:

  • Ian Tyson
  • Michelle Wright,
  • The Good Brothers
  • Washboard Union and many more ……..

Canadian Country Music Heritage Society director Ron Sanders says the collaborative album, produced in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, sees 10 hall of famers team up team with 10 up and coming Canadian artists.

“We’re trying to get some more recognition for the Hall of Fame and the people that are inducted into it. We are planning to release the “Then and Now” album at the  CCMA’s event in September.”

Recording sessions were videoed at Arc House Studio in Kelowna and will be released as part of a behind-the-scenes series.

The Hall of Fame celebrates the best of Canadian country music!  Learn who the inductees are, their contributions to the genre, and how the roots of country music continue to influence musical styles and move our souls.   

Canada’s rich fabric of country music songwriters and performers influence far beyond our national borders.

Music is a universal language and yes Canadian country music in particular is a story worth telling and hearing. Join us in the discovery and check out Merritt BC!

Who would you nominate as the Country Music Hall of Fame’s next inductee?

http://www.ccmhalloffame.com/

 

 

 

Things To Do in Merritt BC

From mountain biking to horseback riding to fishing, are just some of the adventures in Merritt, BC in the Nicola Valley, Canada.

“Every great adventure in the Nicola Valley happens via the secondary highways, local streets and backcountry gravel roads. To enjoy Merritt BC activities one must exit the Highway!”

Things to do in Merritt BC Canada? Planning what adventures you are going to explore? Coming to the Nicola Valley, BC, Canada soon are ya? You have come to the right blogging website. You see… we here are local experts because we have experienced what we preach. I have explored the Nicola Valley on many occasions and I too asked myself, “where do I start?” Such little time and so many things to do in Merritt BC! That is the question, right? What to do when you get here. Well, lets get to it then. 

Highway #1 is not home to things to do in Merritt, BC

The Nicola Valley is guaranteed to inspire and impress when it comes to adventure but, to do so, to truly enjoy your experience, you need to exit Highway #1. Highway #1 is the “express lane” in Canada. It is the best route to get from A to B quickly, but it is by no means a route for exploring communities and Merritt BC Canada is no different. Highway #1, also referred to as the Trans Canada Highway,  is not the road that leads to Merritt  adventures and sightseeing bliss.

Every great adventure in the Nicola Valley happens via the secondary highways, local streets and backcountry gravel roads. And… to truly appreciate the Nicola Valley you need to know where to go and how to get there. That is where “moi” comes into the picture. I am honored to share with you the 3 things to do in Merritt BC which caught my fancy. 

Things to do in Merritt BC including Fishing
1.  Lakes Are A Top Things To Do in Merritt BC Hands Down

“Merritt is a fishing haven with 200+ lakes! Pick a lake, any lake, and stay for awhile.” ehCanadaTravel.com July 30th, 2017

The Nicola Valley is covered in lakes, both easy access and “far-flung” remote. Many are equipped with wilderness campsites so you can stay a while and camp, fish, hike and/or mountain bike. The saying around these parts is “A lake a day for as long as you stay.” Pretty catchy eh.  

Nicola Lake is the “Grand Daddy” of all the lakes in the region. It is easily accessed from Highway 5A just east of Merritt, BC.  When visiting Nicola Lake I have seen people swimming, fishing, water skiing, picnicking, and kayaking. Has to be a pretty decent lake right… and it is easy, easy access. 

Personally, I like the “far-flung” wilderness campsites located at remote lakes. No services? Fine with me. I am happy when I have my tent, camera and  lots of nature, wildlife and adventure. I too am a bit bias towards wilderness lakes. Here are a few lakes to check out which I have had the privilege to camp at –   Lundbom Lake, Lily Lake, Marquart Lake, Gwen Lake and Helmer Lake.

Things to do in Merritt BC includes mountain biking

2. Mountain Biking Is Definitely a Things To Do in Merritt BC

The Nicola Valley has 4 distinct areas designated for mountain biking enthusiasts. They include Iron Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Swakum, and the Coutlee Plateau area. They provide a good assortment of  easy going and challenging biking trails, some short and some are considered long haul. All provide some adrenaline and amazing sightseeing scenery.

Mountain Biking BC sums up the Nicola Valley mountain biking experience the best.

“… you will find fast and flowy singletrack, challenging steep and rocky trails, gentle riding classic grassland routes, and scenic forested pathways. Merritt has something for everyone!” Mountain Biking BC

You can find mountain biking trail information and rentals from the following local bike shop.

Breathe Bikes
1960 Quilchena Ave,
Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
Website: www.breathebikes.ca
Email: bikegeektrav@gmail.com
Phone: +1 (250) 936-9702

Things to do in Merritt BC Canada includes horseback riding.
3. Horseback Riding is a Nicola Valley Things To Do

Saddle up in the Nicola Valley and you will surely experience the cowboy life! You do not have to be a full-blooded cowboy or cowgirl either to enjoy horseback riding.  In fact, some say (including this blogger) horseback riding is best enjoyed when it is the first time. You will not fully appreciate how fun horseback riding is until you go sightseeing. Prove me wrong. I dare you.

“A great horse will change your life. The truly special ones define it…” BRL Equine Nutrition

The valley has ranches where you can bring your own horse or you can use one of theirs to explore the backcountry. Give these cowboys and cowgirls a phone call.

A-P Ranch Western Guest Ranch
P.O. Box 1148,
Merritt, BC, Canada
Website: www.apguestranch.com
Phone 250-378-6520

This list is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to do in Merritt BC during the summer months. I have not even begun to talk about the things to do in Merritt BC in the winter months. That will be another post down the line by our new team of bloggers.

If I may be so humble to make a request while I have you all hyped up about Nicola Valley adventures? Please follow the new  Experience Nicola Valley social media pages so you do not to miss our next blog post. While you wait with great anticipation you can also enjoy the posts from the other talented Nicola Valley writers who contribute to this blog. I am sure you will like them as much as me, but not more right?

For all of you out there who have been to Merritt, BC before I have a question to ask you,

What would your “3 Things To Do” be if you were writing this blog?” 

Go ahead, you will not hurt my feelings. Let me know in the comment section below. 

 Things To Do in Merritt BC Canada