1. Festival du Voyageur
2. Skate
3. Drink

Hé ho!                                                    

Festival du Voyageur is an internationally recognized celebration of Manitoba’s history. Besides being a great time, Festival du Voyageur helps connect us with voyageur, Métis and First Nations culture.

While the main event happens in February, Festival du Voyageur events take place throughout the year. In December 2014, Festival du Voyageur held its annual beard growing contest to raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. From May to September, the Fort Gibraltar Historical Interpretation Centre recreates the year 1815, giving visitors the chance to revisit the era of the fur trade and get in touch with the everyday life of a voyageur.

Working with Great West Life, Festival du Voyageur offers a school program to give students the chance to learn about the life of the voyageurs and deepen their knowledge of Manitoba history. The school program, which began in 1987, sees an average of 12,000 students participate each year.

This year, the 46th annual Festival du Voyageur will take place from February 13 – 22 at Voyageur Park in St. Boniface. Here are some highlights for what’s on tap:

Things will get underway Feb. 13 with the Torch Light Walk from the entrance of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to Voyageur Park.

Feb. 16 - Louis Riel Day - Festival goers dressed in blue and white will seek to make history by creating the Largest “Living” Métis Flag.

Feb. 21, - Ontario trio Elliot Brood 

Feb. 22, - the Association Culturelle Franco-Manitobaine will celebrate Francophone culture with song and will feature crafts by artisans from St. Malo Manitoba.

For a full list of events check out festivalvoyageur.mb.ca.

Part of the series: The Uniter 30

Published in Volume 69, Number 15 of The Uniter (January 7, 2015)