by Sonu Purhar

WHISTLER November 12-15: Cornucopia

For anyone who loves food and wine (and really, who doesn’t?), Whistler is the place to be November 12 to 15 – when the village hosts its annual Cornucopia celebration. The event brings together a Mulligan’s Stew of chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and vintners, all eager to share their tips and tricks with the public. Event highlights: a Casino Royale party worthy of Bond; an Artisan Market at the Westin Resort & Spa ( a sampling bonanza); and, of course, sumptuous spreads of nibbles, multi-course meals and after-dinner treats. Don’t miss: the Crush Gala Grand Tasting, Cornucopia’s two-night finale, where foodies and grape lovers can sip and swallow the bounty of more than 75 local wineries. Ticket prices vary; see the website for details.

• FRASER VALLEY November 21-22: Bald Eagle Festival

courtesy Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival

The folks in Sasquatch Country turn their attention to the skies this month in anticipation of Canada’s third-largest gathering of bald eagles. More than 1,200-plus raptors are drawn to the valley every fall by its millions of spawning salmon, though the birds aren’t the region’s only visitors. November’s cool, damp weather coaxes the bulk of Fraser Valley’s wildlife population into the open, including bears, seals, coyotes and great white sturgeon, with venues from Mission to Chilliwack providing eagle-watching opportunities, jet-boat eco-tours and guided walks through ancient aboriginal sites and around the Chehalis River. Fraservalleybaldeaglefestival.ca; 604-826-7361

Also see: Mighty Hawg Daytripper

• REGIONAL HIGHLIGHT November 5-15, Montreal: Cinemania

The days are shorter, the skies darker, the weather gloomier – what better atmosphere for Montreal’s annual Cinemania film festival? This year’s lineup features the year’s best in French cinema – and with some selections playing exclusively at the festival, it could be film buffs only chance to view. There’s a film for every taste, from the steamy biopic Chanel Coco & Igor Stravinsky to the political thriller Secret Defense/Secrets of State. Non-francophones can also rest easy: the films are all subtitled. 514-878-0082

• INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHT September 23-December 2, Rome: Romaeuropa Festival

Every year, countries around the world create stunning cultural productions, most of them unseen anywhere else on the globe – but the Fondazione Romaeuropa wants to change that. For more than two decades, the Rome-based institution has presented a multifaceted event showcasing an inspiring fusion of original international performance. And last year its 60 festival picks drew an audience of 60,000-plus spectators, all eager to witness the latest worldwide masterpieces in contemporary art, from hip-hop to ballet to Indian dance – and this year’s bash is already on its way to topping those numbers. The festival is in full swing throughout November; download program and ticket information from the website. +39 06 422961

Lead image courtesy Whistler Cornucopia

Journey down the rabbit hole into Lewis Carroll’s zany, hallucinogenic fantasy world – Sunday July 15, when the Community Arts Workshop Society hosts its 14th annual Alice in Wonderland Festival at East Vancouver’s Trout Lake. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their best Wonderland garb, joining forty-plus Community Arts players representing the book’s cast of characters. Challenge the Queen of Hearts to a croquet shootout, join the Mad Hatter for a cup of tea and dance the Lobster Quadrille – then pose for a photo with Lewis Carroll himself. 1-5 pm.www.communityartsworkshop.com/teaparty

Courtesy of {link:http://www.flickr.com/photos/dm-set/3464173554/} dm-set on flickr{/link}

Got a competitive edge? On July 14, Alice aficionados around Vancouver will converge at English Bay to help set the world record for largest assembly of Alices in one location. 1:30pm. To register: www.aliceinwonderlandfestival.com/alices-everywhere-sign-up

• VICTORIA July 16 – 19: 1st Annual Festival of Food & Wine

This new foodie bash promises to be the event of the summer, with a culinary walking tour of the city’s cafe and teahouse gems, a chocaholics anonymous seminar (profiling the history of chocolate-making and ending with a spread of sinful treats) and the provocatively titled Pig and Pinot on the Patio, i.e., the perfect porker-pinot pairings. The festival kicks off with a gala dedicated to B.C. wines and cuisine, featuring top chefs dishing out insider tips (and nibbles) to the rhythms of live jazz. Events priced individually, with tickets from $10 and $169. www.victoriataste.com

• THROUGHOUT B.C.: July 31 – August 9

The perfect precursor to Whistler’s 2010 Olympics: the World Police and Fire Games, an international sporting bonanza that sees firefighters, police and customs officials from around the world flexing their athletic prowess. Held every two years (Adelaide, Australia showcased the 2007 WPFG event ), this year’s challenge will be hosted by B.C. with events throughout the province: including boxing, the Grouse Grind Mountain Race and the better-than-any-reality-show must-see, the Toughest Competitor Alive challenge. www.2009wpfg.ca/

• INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT:  July 22

This date marks a historic world event: the 21st-century’s longest solar eclipse. Just over six minutes in duration, this kind of mega eclipse won’t be seen again until the year 2132. Best location for witnessing this astronomical rarity: northern India, eastern Nepal and northern Bangladesh. What better excuse to jet off to Southeast Asia http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2009/TSE2009.html

Related Post: Fresh Tracks (summer 09)

Lead image courtesy a_seph