THUNDER BAY – If you can’t beat winter, you might as well join it. And there are few better ways to celebrate everything the season has to offer than the Voyageur Winter Carnival being held at the Fort William Historical Park over the Family Day weekend.
Visitors took in iconic winter activities like snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and a visit to the cabane a sucre, along with chances to try something new – most notably the ice dragon boat races, which drew participants eager to be among the first to try the sport in northern Ontario.
Climbing out of one of the 10-person boats after taking it for a spin on the frozen Kaministiquia River Sunday afternoon, Katie Ngo’s family was all smiles.
“This morning we decided to go out to the park, mostly to try out this really cool ice boating challenge,” Ngo said. “It’s an opportunity for families to have a great time together, team building.”
The boats were brought to Thunder Bay for the carnival by Montreal-based Mission Dragon Boat. Technician Cedric Hirou, who was on hand giving tips and encouragement, said he’s excited to introduce the idea to a new audience.
“It’s really exciting,” he said. “It can be a niche sport, so it’s cool to show it to people across Canada, show the possibilities it could have.”
Racers use ice pick paddles to move the boats across the ice.
“People are always surprised by how fast they’re able to go,” Hirou said.
Elsewhere, children navigated the park’s snow maze, marvelling at its six-foot-high walls, or tried out some “snow graffiti,” decorating snow with colourful patterns. The park’s usual historical displays were open, and supplemented by special activities like the opportunity to fire a historic musket or hop on a horse-drawn wagon.
It’s the biggest event of the season for the fort, said communications officer Emily Carr.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” she explained. “Staff from all departments are involved in the planning and preparations. Basically we finish this one up, and we start planning next year’s.”
The Voyageur Winter Carnival concludes its three-day run on Family Day Monday, with the park open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m..
