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The Interlake: Your perfect summer destination

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/06/2016 (3651 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Perfectly positioned between two of the province’s massive lakes, the Interlake region offers a blend of everything a Manitoba summer should be. Small town charm, fabulous festivals, endless beaches and unrivaled prairie sunsets are just the beginning.

The Manitoba Highland Gathering (manitobahighlandgathering.org) celebrates its 50th anniversary July 2 and 3 in Selkirk with a heavy games competition that pits Canada against the United States in caber toss, stone put and hammer throw. The Highland dance competitions area always a crowd favourite.

If a beach day is in order, your choices abound. From the northern edge of Winnipeg, it takes just over half an hour before you’re dipping your toes in the refreshing waters of the vast Lake Winnipeg (Canada’s sixth largest freshwater lake) at Matlock Beach. Cruise another 10 minutes and you’re at Winnipeg Beach. On Lake Manitoba, set your towel in the sand at St. Ambroise, Lundar Beach or picturesque Steep Rock with its towering limestone cliffs.

You need not know how to pronounce it to have a good time at Islendingadagurrin (icelandicfestival.com), the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, held in Gimli beginning July 29. It’s one of Manitoba’s four Star Celebrations, offering unrivaled entertainment over the course of a weekend. Take a stroll through the Viking Village, enjoy evening concerts on the outdoor stage and taste the flavours of Iceland, including the irresistible vinarterta served at Amma’s Kitchen.

For a glimpse of prairie farm life, visit Arborg’s Multicultural Heritage Village (arborgheritagevillage.ca) featuring homes, schools and churches that were part of the pioneering life of the area. The village includes Chapel Barn, the start of the Interlake Barn Quilt Trail, a unique concept featuring quilt designs painted big and bold on barns! There are now 18 quilts on the tour with another three in the works.

Manitoba is blessed with excellent fishing almost everywhere, but if there’s one waterway that rises above the rest, it has to be the Red River (redrivernorthtourism.com). Head for Lockport where you’ll no doubt have some luck plucking out walleye, sauger, perch and drum. But really, this is catfish country. Big channel catfish country! Be prepared to hang on tight and hold on for a long stretch when that big fish grabs your hook. 

For nature lovers, Hecla Island (redrivernorthtourism.com) promises a mix of prairie landscapes and the deep forest of the boreal region. Hikers, anglers, sunbathers and especially birdwatchers will be delighted. Start at Grassy Narrows Marsh, part of Manitoba’s Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail, to catch a glimpse of the boreal species including the Great Gray Owl, American Three-toed Woodpecker and the striking Blackburnian Warbler. From there, head to the water’s edge for sightings of Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Bald Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk.