Plenty to see and do close to home this long weekend

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/07/2016 (3677 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The days around this weekend’s civic holiday are among the busiest summer travel times in Manitoba. The August long weekend often centres around family activities, and for those choosing staycations, it’s a perfect time to visit the province we call home.

It is also a signal the summer is half over. Parents will start shopping for school supplies; retailers will be offering summer stock at sale prices, often up to 50 per cent off or more.

Soon enough, travellers will be thinking about booking winter vacations, but more often than not, it is a period of squeezing in as much summer activity as possible.

The folk and fringe festivals are behind us, and many are weighing their options for visits around the province. There are many experiences we have to offer right here in Manitoba and nearby northwestern Ontario.

Rather than highlighting well-known annual events in Winnipeg and the province, I will offer a few suggestions I hope you will find of interest.

RCMP Musical Ride

You won’t get a chance to see these world-famous riders and horses every year. They have excited audiences for generations, transporting their trained horses around the world and performing to great acclaim.

In just two days, you can see them right here in Manitoba, and take in one of our most impressive historical sites at the same time. When the show is at Lower Fort Garry on Monday, you will quickly understand, once you see the precision and pageantry, why it is so lauded. While the ride itself starts at 2 p.m., it is an all-day affair with music and children’s activities commencing at 10 a.m.

For more info, go to www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/mb/fortgarry/activ/carrousel-musicalride.aspx.

Winkler Harvest Festival and Exhibition

Agriculture may be the theme, but fun is the main item Aug. 12-19. How often do you find yourself singing along with the songs you love on radio or smartphone? If you think you’re pretty good at lip-syncing, you may want to enter to see how you fare in the Lip Sync Championship Battle that takes place during this event.

Cheer on your favourite rodeo participant, take in the nightly performances at the mainstage or enjoy the midway or a meal from the many vendors who will offer every taste option you wish for.

Find information at www.winklerharvestfestival.com

Ghost Sign Walking Tour

How often have you driven around the Exchange District and noticed advertisements on buildings, long faded, advertising products that are also long gone?

Heritage Winnipeg, working in conjunction with the Advertising Association of Winnipeg, has established a series of three, 90-minute walking tours that will explain what they were, who put them there and the importance they had in the history of the Exchange’s development.

One of the tours has already taken place, but the other two will be on Aug. 14 and 28. Call 204-295-1512 for more information.

Harvest Sun Festival

Poised to become a major event that rivals the other great summer musical our province has to offer, Harvest Sun Festival is at Riding Mountain National Park Aug. 19-21.

Taking place in Kelwood, this event showcases talented musicians from across Canada. If you haven’t heard of some of the musicians, I can assure you, you’re about to become a fan of many of them.

The event features activities for children and good options for camping. As an add-on, make the trip to Clear Lake and enjoy the sand and beach.

Find out more at www.theharvestsun.com.

FortWhyte Alive

Certainly this has been an attraction for a long time. Yet a great number of locals don’t know where it is. FortWhyte Alive can expose your children to nature. It is a chance to be exposed to our past and present all in one place.

As its website suggests, it houses “North America’s largest herd of plains bison, yipping prairie dogs and local species of freshwater fish at the Aquarium of the Prairies.”

For outdoor adventure close to the city, there is none better. Check out the options at www.fortwhyte.org.

Rushing River Provincial Park

There is no lack of exceptional parks in Manitoba, but Ontario’s Rushing River does offer some excellent differences.

While it is a 2½-hour drive from Winnipeg, it is less than a half-hour from the city of Kenora. The Rushing River rapids, flowing over glacial rocks, are fascinating.

They really are a photographer’s dream.

The campgrounds are well maintained and if you enjoy canoeing, there are a number of routes.

If you want to get away from the wilderness for a day or an evening, Kenora offers a movie theatre, along with enough bars and restaurants to satisfy most tastes.

There is entertainment on the Kenora harbour on a fairly frequent basis.

You can get up to date information at www.ontarioparks.com/park/rushingriver.

Read Ron Pradinuk’s blog at www.thattravelguy.ca. Listen to his latest podcast every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. via his website or on demand on iTunes.

pradinukr@shaw.ca