Heritage Fair

What is a Heritage Fair?

Think Science Fair but for History!
The Heritage Fairs are showcases of history project displays created by local students about Canadian history.
Students choose a topic (often a family or local story), develop an inquiry question that stems from their curiosity about that topic, and present their findings to the public.
Projects can be poster boards, plays, videos, comics, and more.

STAGES OF HERITAGE FAIRS
Classroom/School Heritage Fair
Students work on their Heritage Fairs in their classes. It is highly recommended they first present their Heritage Fair projects to their peers and teachers in a class or school fair.

Regional Heritage Fair
Teachers select stand-out projects from their classes to continue to the Regional Fair level. At the East Kootenay Heritage Fair, students will participate in heritage programs and be interviewed by judges about their Heritage Fair project. Awards will be given to certain students for their projects based on their strengths.

Provincial Heritage Fair
Judges will nominate three students from the Regional Heritage Fair to showcase their projects at the Provincial Heritage Fair and participate in various activities. The annual fair typically takes place in person at a selected BC city.

Every year over 6000 students take part in Heritage Fairs across BC, and thousands more across Canada.

Regional Heritage Fair:
East Kootenay Heritage Fair (EKHF)

Why Participate?

The Heritage Fair is an amazing opportunity for students to get curious, creative and confident with history.

For Teachers

  • Supports cross-curricular teaching goals in Social Studies, Art, English Language Arts, Math, and Languages
  • Supports Core Competencies in communicating, critical and reflective thinking, positive personal and cultural identity, and social awareness and responsibility
  • Comes with support and online resources, including workshops and lesson plans, from the Cranbrook History Centre, BC Heritage Fairs, and Canada’s History.

    Watch this short video from Canada’s History: Heritage Fairs: Igniting Curiosity; Exploring History

For Students

  • Student-led learning (yet can be scaffolded)
  • Fosters inquiry-based critical and historical thinking skills
  • Builds confidence and pride in learning
  • Develops communication skills, from researching to presenting
  • Produces engaged and connected citizens

How can my class participate?

Eligibility requirements

  • Grade 4 – 10
  • SD5 or local private schools
  • Teacher and student participation in all stages of the Heritage Fair is FREE!
  • Projects can be by individuals, partners or small groups. (Only one student can participate in the BC Provincial Fair and must be approved before the Regional Fair.)
  • Projects can be in English, French or Ktunaxa.
  • Read full guidelines here.

If a student’s teacher does not register their class, individuals can still participate in a virtual Independent Heritage Fair and be chosen to participate in the Provincial Fair. Contact IRHF coordinator Rachel at [email protected] to register. (Please contact [email protected] with all other inquiries.)

For Participating Teachers

  • REGISTER YOUR CLASS for our Regional East Kootenay Heritage Fair.
  • Registration closes on Friday, January 31, 2025!
  • Introduce the project to your class with this presentation.
    Find Research Resources, including local, regional, and provincial online archives, lesson plans, and indigenous studies here (updated in 2025).
  • View other important key dates and helpful resources (local research links, rubrics and more) on the TIMELINE.

As of the 2023-2024 school year, the Heritage Fair Committee members have not be acting as liaisons, but we are equally as committed to supporting teachers and students through the process. The Cranbrook History Centre will be handling registrations digitally and offering in-person support by request.

New in 2025: We have expanded to include all eligible schools in SD5!

For Participating Students

  • Get inspiration from the 2023 and 2024 award recipients.

EKHF Volunteer Opportunities

  • Our HF Committee meets monthly to work on prizes, media, and event planning (September-May).
  • Judges assess the projects and conduct student interviews (two days in May, training is provided).
  • The event assistants sign-in and direct students to their tables and hand out prize bags (one day).
  • The activity assistants help with station coordination and supervision (one -two days).
  • The photographer documents the Regional Heritage Fair and Award Ceremony (three days)
  • A teacher chaperone attends the Provincial Heritage Fair with the selected students (three days in July).

When and where is the East Kootenay Heritage Fair?

The Heritage Fair can begin in classrooms as early as September, but the Regional Heritage Fair schedule at the Cranbrook History Centre is as follows (early May, exact dates TBD):

Thursday: Drop off and set up projects (3:00-5:30pm)

Friday: East Kootenay Heritage Fair Day (9:00-11:00am & 12:00-2:00pm)

Select students from participating schools present their projects to the judges and participate in Heritage programs throughout the day.

Saturday: Open House (10:00am) & Awards Ceremony (11:00am)

Anyone and everyone is welcome to view the student projects during the open house and attend the award ceremony.

* Family members are welcome to help set up projects on the Thursday and attend the Open House and Awards Ceremony on the Saturday. We ask that only participating students and teachers attend the fair on the Friday to allow space for activities and judging to take place. Thanks in advance for your understanding!

Thank You

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2025 Heritage Fair!

Registration for the 2025-2026 Fair will open in Fall!


Contact

Katherine Warman, Director of Programs & Education: [email protected]