Trapping, jigging, and hot maple syrup over ice? Experience French Canadian culture and long-standing traditions at Fort 91原创 National Historic Site (FLNHS).
On Saturday and Sunday, Jan 25 and 26, the park will hold their 11th annual Vive les Voyageurs festival, which hopes to get guests tapping their feet French-Canadian beats, not to mention, tasting some sweet treats.
Celebrating French-Canadian and M茅tis fur trader culture of the 19th century, two days full of demonstrations such us trapping techniques, M茅tis jigging (dancing) workshops, live music, and tiny boat races will be available for visitors to try.
Nancy Hildebrand, promotions officer at FLNHS, said Fort 91原创鈥檚 history has rich French Canadian ties.
鈥淢any of the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company workers鈥攊ncluding those who came to work at Fort 91原创鈥攚ere French-Canadian. Many developed legendary reputations for their work transporting furs by canoe across the wild reaches of the country,鈥� Hildebrand said. 鈥淭hey helped negotiate trade with Indigenous communities, and navigated great rivers carrying bundles of fur over portages.鈥�
The weekend is expected to be filled with plenty of history, but also some more symbolic and fun activities for all ages to partake in as well.
鈥淥ur tiny boat races are new. Anyone can use recycled material like corks and yogurt cups to make something that floats and race them down a little river,鈥� Hildebrand said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 to tie in the importance of boat transportation history at the fort.鈥�
lel訖m鈥� at the Fort Caf茅 will also be serving poutine and tourti猫re, while a special trade shop window will be pouring hot syrup over shaved ice 鈥� turning the sweet substance into a gooey glob of taffy wrapped around a stick.
Pat Calihou will also be on site, carving his ongoing York boat project and answering questions about voyageur history.
READ MORE: Christmas the way it used to be, at historic Fort 91原创
Vive les Voyageurs Festival 2020 weekend schedule for Saturday and Sunday will be as follows;
10:30 a.m. Trapping Techniques - Gord McIntosh (Storehouse)
11 a.m. Spoons and Jigging 鈥� Maurice Guibord (Theatre)
11:30 a.m. Tiny Boat Races (Lower Fort Grounds)
12 p.m. Music 鈥� Vincent & Michael (Upper Big House)
12:30 p.m. Trapping Techniques 鈥� Gord McIntosh (Storehouse)
1 p.m. Spoons and Jigging 鈥� Maurice Guibord (Theatre)
1 p.m. Tiny Boat Races (Lower Fort Grounds)
2 p.m. Spoons and Jigging 鈥� Maurice Guibord (Theatre)
3 p.m. Music 鈥� Vincent & Michael (Upper Big House)
3 p.m. Tiny Boat Races (Lower Fort Grounds)
4 p.m. Trapping Techniques 鈥� Gord McIntosh (Storehouse)
Heritage interpretation with Louis Seguin, a special M茅tis presentation by Ken Pruden, live blacksmith demonstrations, and hands-on activities will also be happening throughout the weekend.
Regular admission fees do still apply.
鈥業t鈥檚 one of the most interesting events of the year,鈥� Hildebrand said, even calling Vive les Voyageurs one of her own personal favourites. 鈥淭he feeling of culture and music and food is all around.鈥�
For more information, people can visit the Fort 91原创 National Historic Site or Facebook .
Fort 91原创 National Historic Site is located at 23422 Mavis Ave and open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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