Media

Canada 150 celebrations launch with Family Day events

The Confluence Heritage Society proudly announces the launch of its Canada 150 celebrations with the Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19 Family Day weekend festivities at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site Hwy. 11A, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada.

A Canada Signature Project
Fifty years ago, canoeists from across Canada embarked on an ambitious 5,283 kilometres retracing of a Voyageurs’ fur-trade route to celebrate Canada’s centennial anniversary.

Canoeists from 12 provinces and territories took part in this race in 1967.  The Confluence Heritage Society is retracing the stretch between Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and The Pas Manitoba, this summer as part of the 150th anniversary of Confederation celebrations.

The race is but part of a series of events being held by The Confluence Heritage Society to celebrate our long heritage and the role of the Voyageurs who first explored what would one day become Canada.

We invite you to join us for the inaugural event of our celebration, the Canada 150 Voyageurs Rendezvous Métis Homecoming and Family Celebration in Rocky Mountain House.

We are hoping your media organization will be interested in covering this first event, as well as others coming over the summer. We have attached backgrounder information to this email.

If you have any questions or wish to schedule interviews or secure photos, please contact Kathy Schwengler, Special Events Coordinator for Canada 150 Voyageurs Rendezvous 2017.

DATE: Saturday, Feb. 18; Sunday, Feb. 19
TIME: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
ADMISSION: FREE

• 1 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies
  • Includes Dignitaries – Federal representatives (including a Minister), Parks & Recreation, Mayor of Rocky Mountain House, Reeve of Rocky Mountain County, MLA, MP, Métis representation, First Nation representation
• All day: Cultural Indigenous entertainment, activities
  • Métis jigging, fiddling, music, dance, Northern Winter games, family games, children’s games, horse sleigh rides,
• All day: French sugar shack – Meet-and-greet with an original 1967 Centennial Canoe Race team
• 6 p.m.: Entertainment – Sierra Noble & Donnell Leahy (Saturday) @ Lou Sopitt

“On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Canada 150 Voyageurs Rendezvous project will highlight the historical importance of our country’s waterways through a re-enactment of the incredible 1967 Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant, as well as other activities offered for all communities. Let’s take advantage of Canada 150 to discover Canada’s natural beauty and strengthen our environmental awareness.”    — The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

The Canada 150 Voyageurs Rendezvous 2017 project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

CONTACT:
Kathy Schwengler, Special Events & Media Coordinator
780-542-1932, [email protected]