The Manitoba Living History Society invites everyone to its Fourth Annual Fall Gathering at Fort Gibraltar on the weekend of 11-13 September 2009. Step back in time and visit the people of Red River, as they would have appeared circa 1815.
Available on site will be tours of the encampment, ongoing fur-trade era demonstrations including blacksmithing, wood chopping, military drills (courtesy of 1730s La Compagnie de LaVerendrye, and 1812 The Forces of Lord Selkirk), musket demonstrations, cooking on an open fire, workshops, presentations and games.
Members of the public are welcome to observe (no admission fees), between the hours of 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, and are indeed encouraged to ask questions and take tours.
Those who are interested in participating must appear in appropriate 18th or 19th century costume and remain so throughout the duration of the event. The event starts at 6:00 PM Friday and participants are welcome to camp in Whittier Park until 4:00 to 5:00 PM on the Sunday. Please inform us if you plan to camp overnight and what type of accommodation you will be staying in. If you do not own a historical tent, please advise us ahead of time so we can allot room for you in the designated modern camp. See attached to register formally.
Events (subject to change):
- tour of Fort Gibraltar on Sunday
- military drills
- musket reliability competition (no fire, registration required)
- blanket trading
- blacksmithing
- bannock making
- butter churning
- settler skills competitions
- dessert competition
- activities for children
- early bird raffle draw Saturday night
- 4:00 Sunday awarding of all prizes
All participants are invited to participate in the St. Andrew's Society parade in honour of the Selkirk Settlers on Saturday, 12 September.
Saturday evening supper and dance at 5:30 PM: soup, meat and vegetables provided.
Workshops:
- using a drop spindle
- blacksmithing
- wood project - make a spoon
- wood splitting
- braiding, finger weaving using a lucet and lace making (as in shoe laces)
- dessert making - all entry forms to be submitted by 3:30 PM Saturday
- non-denominational church service Sunday AM
- Sunday afternoon settler skills competition
- mini fencing competitions Saturday AM
Historical camping 1738-1850. Modern camping (no electrical) on west side of Fort Gibraltar. Wood, water and indoor washrooms provided. Bring ironware for cooking.
Setup Friday, noon to 8:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Marquee takedown Sunday 3:30 PM. Camp takedown Sunday, 4:00 PM.
To register, complete a registration form (PDF form) and send with payment to:
Carol Douglas
Box 675, RR #1
Dugald, Manitoba R0E 0K0
Canada
Email: ceilidh32@hotmail.com
The cost is $20.00 per family, $10.00 per individual (members), or $20 per individual (non-members). Please register before 1 September 2009 to avoid an extra $5 charge. Fee includes camping, wood, modern washrooms, demonstrations, workshops, and Saturday supper. Please bring a vegetable/salad dish for Saturday supper. No alcohol permitted.
Posted: 8 August 2009
