Fort William Historical Park is ready for thousands to descend upon it this Family Day weekend for the Voyageur Winter Carnival.
This will be the 11th year for the annual event, held Feb. 16 to 18, and Fort spokesman Marty Mascarin said they have no shortage of activities for the whole family to try.
The usual tubing, dogsledding, and skating and curling on the Kam River are on tap as well as a snow fort to accompany the giant snow maze and games like cannonball bowling.
“Just a jam-packed weekend of activities,” said Mascarin.
The carnival usually draws thousands, with the biggest crowds out on Sunday and Monday, and Mascarin said the event has engendered solid support from the residents of Northwestern Ontario over the years.
He said part of the allure is the heritage aspect of the carnival.
“It’s set away from traffic and we’re ensconced within the natural environment. The Fort takes on a whole new look under a blanket of snow,” Mascarin said, adding the carnival also features a strong cultural facet.
The Sugar Shack will be hosted by Club Canadienne and there will be an 1815 scavenger hunt that has participants interacting with some of the park’s costumed characters.
And along with all the games, there will be prizes and giveaways for the kids.
“There’s been a lot of hard work by both our maintenance staff and event staff towards working on the event this year,” said Mascarin.
And although the weather forecast for the weekend is favourable as of Friday, there will be plenty of places to warm up if the little ones get chilly, added Mascarin.
“We do have some buildings that are heated on the historic site,” he said, adding they’ll also have bon fires going around the park, including one in the shelter on the river where the skating is set up.
The Voyageur Winter Carnival runs Feb. 16 to 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, students and children ages 12 to 6.
Admission is free for children five and younger.
