Gold Fever Strikes Again at Championship Event

The community recently came together for the 53rd World Invitational Gold Panning Championship in Taylor, BC.

The 2025 World's Invitational Gold Panning Championships were held at Peace Island Park in Taylor, BC, August 1-3. This event came with a weekend full of fun and competitive activities the whole family could enjoy.

For some, the event is a test of skill and patience; for others, it’s a chance to relive a piece of history.

Some of the activities offered throughout the family friendly weekend included a pancake breakfast, gold panning of course, metal detecting, claim staking, bannock baking, face painting, an arts and craft fair with various local vendors and candy rush for the kids.

The air was filled with equal parts laughter and concentration, each participant hoping this might be their lucky day.

The Northern Horse & Mule Harness Association provided wagon rides for families around the park and through trails, with good conversation and the opportunity to experience world-class yodeling.

The results for each category at the 2025 gold panning championship are as follows:

Class A

1.      Barry Scott

2.      Trina Barrette

3.      Dave Coupland

Class B

1.      Frank Smith

2.      William Sloane

3.      Heather McAleney

Class C Adult

1.      Frank Smith

2.      Brad Sexton

3.      Cassidy Badger

Juvenile Open

1.      William Sloane

2.      Pieter Furler

3.      William Grant

Metal Detecting Adult

1.      Frank Gejdos

2.      Dave Coupland

3.      Brenda Gejdos

Celebrity/Sponsor Media

1.      Christine Schlief

2.      Jordan Kealy

3.      Rod Locke

Claim staking Adult

1.      Tyson Gejdos

2.      Rod Scott

3.      Trina Barrette

claim staking Juvenile

1.      Frank Barrette

2.      Kale Kocher

3.      Zane Kocher

Bannock Baking

1.      Hank & Kale

2.      Trina & Frankie

3.      Kelly & Dori