At the confluence of the Granby and Kettle Rivers, in a wide open, sun filled, east-west valley, is where Grand Forks is found. Gateway to history, culture and adventure, or just kicking back and enjoying the warm summer days floating on a tube down the Kettle or Granby River.
Grand Forks was originally named Grand Prairie and with an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and four distinct seasons offering a very desirable climate, is a hidden gem of the BC interior. Warm dry summers, colourful autumns, snow covered mountains in winters and early springs allow for endless outdoor recreational adventure, gardening and a lifestyle second to none!
arly settlers have left a historical inventory of magnificent architecture (circa 1897) throughout the community providing visitors with a look into their past. Established as a City in 1897, Grand Forks had 3 railways by 1900 and the largest smelter in the British Commonwealth.
With an annual average of 120 frost free days, the Grand Forks area provides a natural agriculture base for international wholesale nursery growers, organic farming, small industry, communication and home-based businesses. Resource-based major industry in forestry and remnants of the mining history are still visible at the Granby Road slag piles that today, are being utilized by local industry.
Grand Forks has excellent recreational facilities consisting of an aquatic centre, ice arena, curling rink and skateboard park which is located on Hwy 3 across from the world class James Donaldson baseball stadium where the Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament is held. This year will be the second year for the city to host CannaFest, a 2 day classic rock music event. Down by City Park along the pristine Kettle River is the competition level BMX track, where Provincial and National class events are hosted each year. In 2016 is the grand opening of the Water Park at City Park.
Grand Forks has a municipal airport with 4,300 feet of runway and welcomes those with personal craft to fly in. An easy approach with wid open views makes for a pilots dream landing. The members of COPA Flight 62 routinely invite the public to various displays such as the Fly In Show ‘n’ Shine which features the “Runway Theatre Under the Stars” movie.