B.C. Open Gold Panning Championships

Experience a day or weekend in the country

Activities for the entire family

Gold Pan Toss, Dirt Toss, Gold Rush, Claim Staking, Metal Detecting and Bannock Baking. Bring a GPS and exchange items to hunt for the Pin Exchange or Everything Goes Geo Caches. Events open to all.

Gold nugget prizes for all events. Support our $1 Nugget Raffle.

Antique equipment display, prospecting and hiking trails.

Wear Klondike period costumes. Visit the Cherryville Artisans Shop beside Frank's General Store on the way.

Café on site or bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds.

Gold Panning Competitions for Juniors, Teens, Novice, Intermediate

and Experts. Flat Pan Event.

Schedule of Events 2008

Friday, May 16

9:30pm (approx.): Night metal detecting competition. No lights allowed.

Evening Music: The Singing Sweethearts - Kenny and Linda Johnson.

Saturday, May 17

7:00am-9:00am: Vernon Placer Miners Pancake Breakfast $5.00

9:00am: Metal Detecting Competition. Screwdriver like tool needed $5

9:00am-4:00pm: Games for all. Pan Toss, Gold Rush, Claim Staking, Dirt Toss. $2-$5

10:00am-4:00pm: Mixed Elimination Rounds for

BC Open Gold Panning Competition

1:00pm: Grudge Match for Experts $5.00

4:45pm: Panning Consolation Round

5:30pm: Steak Barbecue by Big Steve's Catering of Lumby $12.00

7:00pm-8:00pm: Bannock Baking Competition $5

Evening: The Singing Sweethearts, Linda and Kenny Johnson from Westbank with other guest apperances. Join Linda and Kenny with your instruments, singing voices and skits.

Sunday, May 18

7:00am-9:00am: Vernon Placer Miners Pancake Breakfast

8:30am: Gospel songs

9:00am: Metal Detecting Competition

9:00am-2:30pm: Games for all. Pan Toss, Gold Rush,

Claim Staking, Dirt Toss

10:00am-2:00pm: BC Open Gold Panning Finals

2:30pm: BC Open Championships - top 3 panners from

all adult categories

3:00pm: Flat Pan Final

3:30pm: Presentation of Gold Nugget trophies.

4:00pm: Raffle Draw. Prizes: 15.57 gram Yukon Gold Nugget $800; Bronzed Placer Miner & Mule in case $180; Kenyan Malachite and Gold Filigree Necklace and Pewter Placer

Miner Belt Buckle $80; 35 Inch Placer Miner Dressed Bear with Gold in Pan $35

For further information

VPMC Phone Head: Jerry Stainer 1-250-549-4395

2008 B.C. Open Chair: Diane Fulbrook 1-250-503-1035 e-mail

Accommodation Reservations

Gold Panner Campground 1-250-547-2025; e-mail

Weeping Willow Bed and Breakfast 1- 888- 547- 9275

The Lodge Inn & Retreat 1 - 888- 547 0110

For further information visit www.cherryville.net

Rules & Regulations

(Revised for 2007)

This contest is open to all gold panners in the world. There will be two primary categories, youth and adult. Youth will be separated into two competition categories based on age Juniors- under age 13 and Teenagers- ages 13 to under16. A Youth who has won 3 First places on the Circuit will be moved to an Adult catagory, deemed proper, as judged by 3 Professional panners from the Circuit and our Head Judge.

Adult competition categories will be defined by experience - Novice, Intermediate, and Expert. A final BC Open Competition will be held on Sunday between the top 3 Novice, Intermediate and Expert adults to determine the BC Open Gold Panning Champion. A BC Open Youth Champion will also be named.

Saturday

As the gold, gravel and all other rules are identical for all competitors, youth and adults will pan at the same time. Competitor's scores will then be separated according to their respective category.

Youth - Juniors under 13 and Teenagers 13 to under 16 years old will compete for day prizes. The top 3 winners in each category will receive prizes. In addition, the score of each competitor will be combined with their Sunday's score to determine best panner in the Youth competition.

Adults - The Novice and Intermediate elimination rounds will be held on Saturday only. Adults to determine the top 10 finalists in each category. The rest will be able to enter a Consulation Round Gold Rush for a Nugget at 4:45pm. There will be a Grudge Match competition for all Experts on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday

Youth - Juniors under 13 and Teenagers 13 to under 16 years old will again compete for day prizes. The top 3 winners in each category will receive nugget prizes. In addition, the score of each competitor will be combined with their Saturday's score to determine best Youth panner.

Adults - The top 10 from Novice and Intermediate eliminations and all Experts, will pan off for prizes in their individual category. The top three from the adult finals will compete in the B.C. Open competition to declare a B.C. Open Gold Panning Champion.

AWARDS

Youth - The three panners registering the highest scores in each of the two youth categories will receive prizes for each days competition (prizes for Saturday and nuggets for Sunday). In addition, a Nugget award will be presented to the top competitor who has the highest combined score from Saturday and Sunday.

Adult - Gold nugget awards will be presented to the panners in each of the three adult categories who record the highest score in the Sunday finals. In addition, the top three panners from the finals of each category (Novice, Intermediate and Expert) will then compete to determine the BC OPEN GOLD PANNING CHAMPION. The three panners who record the highest score in this, the BC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP round will receive gold nugget awards. In addition, the winner will receive $100 in cash, and invitations to compete in the World Invitational Gold Panning Championships held in Taylor, BC; the Canadian National Competition in Barkerville; the Ft. Steele Championships and in the elimination's for the International Gold Panning Championships in Edmonton, Alta.

CATEGORY DEFINITIONS - takes into consideration all winnings on the Competitive Gold

Panning Circuit which includes Cherryville, Edmonton, Taylor, Barkerville, Ft. Steele, Yukon, United States and others.

1. The youth categories are open to all persons under the age of 16, regardless of experience. There are two youth categories, under 13 years and Teenagers13 - under 16 years. Or as deemed proper by a judging panel.

2. Note: previous youth competitors who have reached the age of 16 will advance to the adult categories as follows

A. If contestant has not placed, OR PLACED ONCE in any previous Youth event (Teenager -age 13 to 16) move to novice.

B. If contestant placed two or more times in any previous youth events (Teenagers13 to 16) their choice of intermediate or expert.

Once the choice is made and recorded, the decision is final for all competitions and may not be changed.

3. The novice competition is open to those panners, 16 years of age or older who have limited or no panning experience. If you pan regularly or do clean-up for a mine, you sholud be in Intermediate.

4. The intermediate competition is open to panners, 16 years of age or older with panning experience or who have placed first, second or third in a previous novice competition. The committee asks your co-operation in deciding for yourself the level of your experience.

5. The expert competition is open to any panner, 16 years of age or older who has placed twice in any Provincial, State or other recognized competition. Note: Any panner who has placed once in any Provincial, Territorial, State or other recognized competition, may enter either the intermediate or expert category. Once a competitor has elected to advance to the Expert category, his decision is irreversible.

6. Prior to a competitors first round of panning, the competition committee, chaired by the chief judge, has the sole right to review and reassign a competitor to an alternate category. The committee's decision is final. If it is found that a competitor is in the wrong category after panning, they may also be moved.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1. A standard 14 inch metal gold pan bearing a number will be used. Only pans supplied by the competition committee will be permitted.

2. The gravel for this contest will be selected from the banks of the Monashee River and shall be thoroughly washed and screened. The gravel will consist of equal amounts of sand and gravel (less than 2.5 cm) and will be placed in unnumbered buckets. All buckets will contain similar quantities of gravel.

3. Natural placer gold will be used. There will be 1 large piece (12 mesh), 4 medium sized flakes (16 - 18 mesh) and 10 small flakes (30-50 mesh). The medium and small flakes originate from Monashee Creek, and the large from the Klondike. PLEASE TAKE NOTE: All gold is thin flake and may float if not properly sunk to the bottom of the pan. Considerable variation will be apparent in the size of the small flakes. The gold will be randomly distributed throughout the gravel in the bucket.

COMPETITION RULES

1. When announced, the panners will select a bucket of gravel and proceed to the panning trough corresponding to their number on the registration sheet. The panner is responsible to ensure that the pan number corresponds to his registration number and the panning tub number.

2. Both pan and bucket of gravel must be placed on the ground prior to the starting judge commencing the countdown.

3. The starting judge will ask the competitors to take their position. He will then commence a countdown from 3 to 1 (3-2-1-GO). On the word 'GO' panners will commence panning. (Note: panners may elect to pan only a portion of the bucket contents or pan the entire contents at one time.)

4. An eight-minute time limit will be allowed for panning in each round. As all competitors in the elimination rounds have the same time limit, all categories, including all youth, can pan at the same time.

5. Competitors must place their pans on the table with the pans located on the corresponding panning number prior to the expiration of the eight minute time limit. Please stand facing your pan with your hands at your sides. Do not move or turn, until all competititors have placed their pans on the tables. Hands must not touch the pan once the eight-minute time limit has elapsed. The Head Judge will then say "you may leave the table" A 20 point penalty will be assessed any competitor whose hands have not left their pan on the table by the eight-minute time limit.

6. INTERFERENCE WITH OTHER COMPETITORS MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

7. The fastest time among two or more identical top scores will not be declared champion unless there is a tied score after the first round of pan-offs within a particular category (see Advancement to Finals).

JUDGING

1. Ten points will be awarded per flake, regardless of size, for a total possible score of 150.

2. Only gold that is clearly visible to the judges will be counted. No attempt will be made to uncover or seek gold covered by sand. If, in the opinion of the judges, one flake may be partly covering another, the gold will be moved for verification.

3. Points will then be deducted for sands and gravels remaining in the competitor's pan. Up to a maximum of 9.9 points may be deducted. Points deducted will be predetermined by the judges and calculated by measuring the amounts of sand and gravel remaining. Gravel left in the bucket after time has been called will be assessed a penalty of 10 points per centimeter.

ADVANCEMENT TO FINALS AND BC OPEN

1. A maximum of ten panners in the Intermediate and Novice categories, plus all Expert panners, will advance to the finals to determine the winners of their respective categories.

2. A tie will be declared only when identical scores occur when determining:

a. The competitors to advance to the finals of each category

b. The competitors to advance into the finals of the BC Open

c. The placing (first, second or third) of competitors in each of the finals and the BC Open.

A new contest (a pan-off) will be conducted between the tying panners. The same material will be used as stated in rules 3 and 4 but the time limit will be reduced to 4½ minutes. The rules will remain the same as stated above.

If after the first round of a pan-off, there still remains a tie within a category, a second pan-off will be held. The same material will be used as stated in rules 3 and 4 but the competitor with the most gold showing, in the fastest time will be declared the winner. Panning must be completed with the pan placed on the judges' table within a 4 1/2 minute time limit. Each panner WILL BE TIMED from the word 'GO' to the time hands are free from the pan when placed on the table. Two minutes will be added to the competitors time for each flake lost. NOTE: Deductions for sand will only be applied if there is a tie in total time.

Should any contestant desire to register a complaint pertaining to any scope of this contest, they should do so prior to the completion of the elimination rounds. The point or points in question will be decided by a count in a show of hands among participating finalist contestants only. The judges and organizers only responsibility will be to adjust or maintain the rule in question according to the preference of the majority.

Head Judges decision is final. He may defer to a Committee of 3 selected Professionals for help.

2008 BC Open Gold Panning Championships Information

Welcome to the 17th Annual BC Open Gold Panning Championships. May 16th, 17th and 18th. We hope you will come and join in the fun on the May long weekend at the Gold Panner Campground. There is no gate entrance fee to come and see what we are doing. Prices will remain the same as last year. Games- Pan Toss, Dirt Toss, and Claim Staking, are going on all day for the low fee of $2.00. All ages can join in the games. The Gold Rush, Metal Detecting and Bannock Baking cost $5.00. There are Gold Nugget prizes for all the events. There are time schedules posted around the grounds and you get one when registering.

Friday Night starts with the Metal Detecting coin hunt in the dark. No lights may be used. Music this year is headlined by "The Singing Sweethearts" Ken and Linda Johnson from Westbank. Bring your instruments and join them on the stage. They need breaks too and will welcome you for a few pieces.

Saturday morning will start off from7-9 am with Don's Special Pancake Breakfast of pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee or tea for $5. You won't go away hungry. This will also happen Sunday morning.

A Metal Detecting Event will start at 9 am and the Games and Registration Booths open.

The Panning Competition Elimination Rounds are on all day Saturday. You may enter at any time between 9am and 4pm. Everyone is guaranteed 2 pannings. Adults $10, Youth under 16 - $5. As long as youth can hold the pan themselves they can enter. Anyone that doesn't make the top 10 in each adult category then has a chance at 4:45pm Saturday to win a nugget in the Consolation round which is a Gold Rush. Please make sure you check the sheets after they are put up to see where you stand. We won't be running around looking for you, so it is up to you to be at your pannings on time. Each person is given their time and event when they register. The Youth pan both Saturday and Sunday for their fee. The Competition takes precedence over any games. Don't buy tickets for games that may take place during your panning time. We will allow you to hand your tickets over to a family member if that happens, as long as they are not in that event. Each person can only have one try per time.

Saturday at 5:30 pm will once again be "Big Steve's Beef Barbeque for $12. Steak, baked potato, salad, and bun. The Bannock Baking and music start at 7 pm. For the Bannock baking children under 13 must have an adult supervising them at the fires. Please bring a rack, frying pan, hot pads, bowl, and tongs (to use to move your lite firewood around and turn your bannock). All ingredients will be supplied. No other ingredients may be used or it will be disqualified. You will get a bundle of wood and paper. Bring an axe or knife if you want to make kindling. After you are finished please put extra wood back in the wheelbarrow.

Check the poster for the Raffle Prizes. Our nugget is a big 15.57 grams- 1 1/8 inches wide. It's a beautiful flat piece with a natural hole for a finding, to put it on a chain. Also, Donna has been given some very fine items for the Jam Can Tent. Make sure you check it out. There is a camp cot, camping lantern, coffee makers, five piece radio set and many more items. Last year several of the sections were worth over $75.00.

Please run off a poster or two and put it up in your town in a high traffic area. Let us know if we can send you some Raffle tickets to sell. Our Insurance is over $1,300 so we need to sell all 2,500 tickets to pay for everything and every ticket sold helps keep our costs down for all.

Come and have a weekend or a day of fun with us. We look forward to meeting you.

There's a lot of hook-ups and even more dry camping space. Have fun tenting too.

Diane Fulbrook

2008 BC Open Chair

(250) 503-1035