Every Wednesday evening, at 8 p.m. Roger Theaker takes to the microphone at The Fernie to challenge people’s intellect. Theaker hosts the weekly trivia sessions at the bar, with regular players coming back to participate every week.
Theaker has been hosting trivia for over two years, starting at The Pub before moving to The Fernie in December 2015. Every week, he conjures up 50 questions separated into five different topics, which can take some time to think up.
“At least a couple of hours – two to three hours putting them all together,” he said, adding he scours the internet and uses quiz apps to help him write the questions.
The themes vary week to week, including such topics as sports, world events, general knowledge and Saturday Night Live trivia. For special events, Theaker plans the entire trivia session around it. For example, when Star Wars, the Force Awakens was released, Theaker dedicated an entire trivia game to the franchise.
“I will probably do an Olympic themed one coming up,” he said in regards to his next themed game.
While Theaker makes the questions, he tries to stay away from topics he is particularly partial too, as what he is interested in isn’t necessarily what the crowd is interested in.
“There are categories that I like that aren’t really good for the masses because it’s topics that I’m passionate about, such as sports or certain bands,” he said. “I try to be a bit more general because it’s no fun when people can’t get a single answer for a round. I did a video game round and I thought it was going to be easy, but there are so many people who couldn’t get it.”
A $50 gift certificate is the incentive for winning the game. While Theaker has a no smart phone rule to curb cheating, he says cheating can be hard to prove.
“It’s so hard to prove that people cheat. You have to politely go up and say I’m pretty sure you didn’t get perfect on this. It’s hard – but honestly, if you’re cheating at pub trivia, that’s poor of you.”
Trivia Time
Think you know everything there is to know about the Elk Valley and Fernie? Answer these five questions about the surrounding area and you could win a gift certificate to The Fernie Hotel.
First two people to answer all questions correctly win a $15 gift certificate. Please bring your answers into The Free Press office.
Happy Trivia!
1. How much snow does Fernie Alpine resort average each winter?
2. What Elevation does the town of Fernie sit at?
3. What other name is the Three Sisters known by?
4. The Town of Fernie had 2 major fire incidents. What years did those take place?
5. In what year did Fernie Snow Valley open and in what year did RCR buy the resort and name it Fernie Alpine Resort?
