Celebrating 200 years of history
The second-oldest fur trading fort in Alberta is celebrating its two-hundredth birthday in 2023!
Join us for events July 7, 8th & 9th
Schedule of Events
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Indigenous Showcase and Demonstrations
Visit our cultural celebrations including teepee displays, storytelling from local elders, information, and children’s crafts.
Learn about the culture and history of our local first nations with demonstrations of dance, food preparation and traditional knowledge.
Saturday, July 8
9:00am-5:00pm – Robin Berard – Big Stone First Nation Teepee @ the Wagon Wheel
9:00am-5:00pm – Barry Mustus Native Activities @ the Post Office
12:00pm & 4:00pm – Alexander First Nation Showcase @ School Gym
Sunday, July 9
9:00am-5:00pm – Robin Berard – Big Stone First Nation Teepee @ the Wagon Wheel
9:00am-5:00pm – Barry Mustus Native Activities @ the Post Office
11:00am & 3:00pm – Alexander First Nation Showcase @ Hockey Arena
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Fun and Games
Friday, July 7
3:00pm -5:00pm Axe Throwing Demonstration @ South side of the arena
Saturday, July 8
12:00-3:00pm Blue Eyed Daisy Airbrushing @ school grounds
12:30-2:30pm Kids Games @ Fort Assiniboine Library
1:00pm - 2:30pm Axe Throwing & Black Powder Demonstrations @ South side of the arena
1:00-4:00pm National Stiltwalkers of Canada presents two 40 minute roving shows
Sunday, July 9
10:00am-12:00pm Knife Throwing Demonstration @ South side of the arena
1:00pm - 3:00pm Kids Games @ the school grounds
1:00-4:00pm Blue Eyed Daisy Airbrushing @ the school grounds
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Embrace History at the Fort Assiniboine Museum
Saturday, July 8 - 11:00AM to 2:00PM
Sunday, July 9 - 11:00AM to 4:00PM
The museum boasts a collection of pioneer and fur trading artifacts that tell the story of early life and settlement in the region.
The museum is open daily during the summer months, with regular hours in June from 1:00PM to 5:00PM and in July and August from 11:00AM to 5:00PM.
Spinning and Weaving Demonstrations
Sunday, July 9 - 1:00PM
Barrhead Spinners and Weavers Guild invites you to visit the museum palisades and see first hand how wool fleeces are turned into garments and cloth. Demonstrations will include washing, carding, spinning, weaving, knitting/crocheting, as well as knitting on an antique circular sock machine from 1905!
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Alberta Trapper's Association & Alberta Watershed Council
Saturday and Sunday, July 8 & 9
10:00am to 4:00pm
Alberta Trapper’s Association
Visit the Alberta Trapper’s Association booth to learn more about the furs that drew traders to the area 200 years ago, and how modern trappers continue to practice stewardship of these natural resources.
Alberta Watershed Council
Join the Alberta Watershed Council booth near the Walsh Park Gazebo. They’ll have their equipment out and they look forward to getting your help to sample water quality and aquatic critters along the shores of the Athabasca River.
Learn about the importance of rivers and streams in our ecosystem, and how you can help protect the watershed.
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Voyageur Canoe Brigade
Voyageur Canoe Brigade Arrives
Saturday, July 8 - 3:00pm
Keep your eyes on the Athabasca River as a brigade of over a dozen voyageur canoes arrives from their journey that began in Whitecourt and will continue on to Athabasca. The canoes will round the corner behind the Arena and museum at approximately 3PM and land at Woodlands RV Park & Marina just downstream around 3:30. They will be greeted by a black powder welcome behind the arena.
The brigade will then begin their parade up the path from the marina back to the Arena for the main events.
Experience a Voyageur Canoe!
Sunday, July 9 - 11:00-2:00
Experience a 2km voyageur canoe ride down the Athabasca River with experienced voyageurs.
Waivers must be signed.
Start at the Woodlands RV Park & Marina.
Weather and river access permitting.
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Free BBQ Supper Followed by an Evening of Cultural Performances
Saturday, July 8 - 5:00PM
Enjoy a free BBQ supper following the parade of the voyageurs. As space is limited, this event requires a free ticket. Tickets are available through Eventbrite or by visiting a Woodlands County office.
Following supper join us for free entertainment including performances by the Wild West Fiddlers followed by a performance by our headliner, the great Canadian fiddler, Calvin Vollrath.
Due to limited space, tickets are required for this portion of the event. Tickets are issued for both supper and the evening entertainment.
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Chili Fundraiser at the Museum
Sunday, July 9 - Noon-1:30
Fort Assiniboine Museum will host a chili lunch for $10 with funds raised supporting the museum.
Other lunch options include:
Local Restaurants:
Linda’s Motor Inn
Little Ranch Cafe - 13 State Ave
On-Site Food Trucks:
Gypsy Gems
Dot's Mini Donuts
Bablitz Ice Cream
Fry Day
Or enjoy a picnic lunch along the riverside.
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Walk the Original Hudson Bay Cart Trail
Sunday, July 9, 2023 - 1:45PM
Enjoy a free guided walk hosted by Barrhead Walkie-Talkie Volkssport Walking Club. Trail is about 5km and includes sandy and hilly terrain. Wear good footwear!
Meet at Fort Assiniboine Friendship Centre at 1:45 pm to carpool to the trailhead. Walk starts at 2 pm.
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Get Together at the Legion
Kick off the Weekend with Voices of Legends
Friday, July 7, 2023 - 7:00PM
Fort Assiniboine Legion #210 presents Voices of Legends, featuring music by Elvis and The Beatles.
Tickets $30 at the door. Doors open at 7PM, show starts at 8PM.
Saturday, July 8
12:00pm - 3:00pm Legion #210 lounge open
4:30pm - 6:00pm Legion #210 lounge open
Where to Stay
Get Involved.
These are volunteer run events, and we welcome your participation! Contact our volunteer coordinator to find out how you can be involved in this once in a lifetime event.
Click below to email or call Dale at 780-674-1494
Thank You to our Volunteers
and our Partners Including:
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Sponsorship Opportunities are Still Available