“He’s a big, out-of work logger, during the 1930s, during the Depression,” said O’Neill of his character. “A big, rough and tough guy who talks about the history of logging in the Langley-Surrey area. He describes how logging attracted major companies to the area, which was a huge part of its development.”

 

In all, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the Heritage Walk circuit, which is free to the public. There will also be a number of musical acts on stage during the Fusion Festival, a three-day multicultural celebration, which will feature performances by The Chieftains and Jully Black.

 

After parting company with his own local rock band Sheep (“I still get together with them once in a blue moon”), O’Neill took to the high seas as a cruise ship DJ. During the four years he was at sea, he saw half the world, he said. “The coolest places I’ve been were St. Petersburg and Copenhagen.” Upon his return to Langley he learned a group had formed and were doing heritage walks.

 

“I love history, I love local history. That’s definitely my thing,” said O’Neill. “I had volunteered at the (Fort Langley Historic) Site as a kid, so I did my first audition since I got off the ship and, lo and behold, I got the part.”