COVID-19 can't stop weddings and tours at this historic gold rush town

Whether it's a band of goldor a pan of gold you're looking for, you can find what you need at Barkerville Historic Town andPark this summer.

The main town of the Cariboo Gold Rush in the late 1880s, Barkerville is now a national heritage site which thousands of people visit every year to tour the site, watch performancesand partake in old-time activities with tour guides who stay in character as Barkerville residents from a bygone era. It's also a popular destination for summer weddings.

But this summer is like no other for the "townspeople"of Barkerville asCOVID-19 health concerns meanthe welcome wagon will not be rolling out for tourists.

However, if you're part of a small wedding party, no posse is going to run you out of town.

Micro-wedding ceremonieswith up to 10 peoplehave been given the go-ahead in for the heritage site, and the nupitals will be broadcast online forfriends and family who can't attend.

"There are options for people, especially in the region, to get married and hold that wedding virtually," said park spokesperson James Douglas on CBC'sDaybreak North onTuesday.

And you don't need to be betrothed to visit Barkerville this summer.

If seeingthe Gold Rush ghost townis on your bucket list, you can now check it out without leaving the comfort of your couch.

Barkerville Live! features the town's costumed guides, who tour and perform for audiences using the Zoom video platform. Douglas said the plan is to eventually broadcast on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, as well.

"Instead of inviting peopleto Barkerville in the immediate future, we would bring Barkerville to them," said Douglas about the plan, which he said also allows some of the more than 100 summer employees to keep their jobs.

But remember, video tours weren't really a thing in the 1900s so you might want to remind your Barkerville town guide you come from the future.

To hear the complete interview with James Douglas on Daybreak North, tap here.