This past weekend, the Aquatennial was fortunate to be guests of the Festival Du Voyageur in Winnipeg. It's a primarily a French festival that celebrates historical and cultural experiences which reflect the Voyageur era. There is a neighborhood in Winnipeg called St. Boniface that is the largest French community west of Quebec. I had no idea. The French culture runs very deep it would seem in Winnipeg and this 10 day festival is a celebration of that.
Snow Sculptures like this are all over Winnipeg during festival...they're quite amazing and detailed.
We left Thursday afternoon....by we, I mean Commodore Mary Niemeyer, Queen Charissa Pederson, Princesses Jenna Forstner and Tzvetelina Pramatarov, Captain Rob Mauzy and myself. Our Senior Queen, Ann Hair and husband Doug arrived on Friday morning. We also were joined by John Brandt, a former Commodore, now a board member, Mary's husband Mike and son Matt and by Charissa's parents, sister and brother.
The Princesses and Queen with their finest Ribnick Furs....and they needed them!
We arrived late on Thursday (actually Friday...it was almost 2am!) after getting slowed down at the border. It's official....getting into Canada is now like traveling to any other country. Be prepared to be questioned!
After a quick nights sleep, it was off to the festivities. Our first major event was Friday night. After a dinner with all the other attending festivals (Winter Carnival, Oktoberfest, Applefest, etc....too many to name them all....sorry!), we were ready for our walk up la Rivière-Rouge....or the Red River...for the Torchlight Walk.
Walking up the Rivière-Rouge
We assembled on the frozen river and we lit candles and proceeded to walk up the river, through the old church and up to the stage in St. Boniface where the opening ceremonies were taking place. Yes, it's as cold as you think it is. I think I was wearing every piece of clothing I packed. I'm not sure what the temp was but -20 seems like a good number. Plus the wind.
More walking on the Red River....that's Queen of the Lakes Charissa Pederson in the middle
It was very cool though. We symbolized the fur traders bringing their canoes full of goods into what was then Fort Gibraltar. We then enter the church which is exactly what the voyageurs would have done hundreds of years ago. The candles kept blowing out but you get the drift.
Some of the torchlight group trying to stay warm and keep those candles lit!
In some ways, it's interesting to think of how we, representing Minneapolis, traveled on much the same route those voyageurs would have. Following the rivers of Minnesota up through the north woods into Canada and eventually landing in Winnipeg (or Grand Portage and the other fur trading posts of the 17th and 18th centuries). It connects us to Winnipeg and is part of what makes it our sister city....well, that and it's really cold.
We then headed over to a cultural center for a little Irish/Celtic music (I have no idea....just go with it!) and dancing. No, I can't dance at all. I try not to make a complete fool of myself. That's the best I can do. If I see any photos, I'm burning them. It's for the good of humanity.
Saturday started with a trip to the Fort....well, for some of us. Let's just say the hospitality room and a special French-Canadian drink called Caribou got the best of a few people. I managed. Mostly. By the way, if you're wondering what, exactly, Caribou is, I don't think anyone can tell you. It seems that everyone up there has their own recipe. Generally speaking, it includes port wine, brandy, maple syrup, various spices and possibly (probably certainly) more liquor. It's made to warm you up, and it accomplishes that and more. And yes, it tastes better than it sounds. Trust me.
Anyway, back to the fort....we saw a few different buildings where there was blacksmithing, craft making, etc. The kind of stuff you expect to see at an old frontier fort. They also had a guitar that has come to represent Canada that we had our photo taken with (I don't have the photo yet....to be included later). It's a very special piece of Canadian patriotism and you can check that out here. It's very cool.
We also sampled some voyageur candy....it's hot maple syrup that's poured over snow, allowed to cool until it starts to harden, then rolled up over a Popsicle stick. Check it out....
And it's really good!
We all got in our formal best and enjoyed some wonderful entertainment from local Native Americans and the French community before, again, dancing the night away and trying not to embarrass myself too much. Here's a few photos:
The girls...Senior Queen Ann Hair, the "official Voyageur Family (Mom and three daughters...not sure where Dad was), Commodore Mary, Princess Tzvetelina, our host Melanie, Queen Charissa, Princess Jenna. What a group!
The Voyageur Family (at least the three girls) with Rob and I. You see the red sashes around our waists....those are symbolic of what the voyageurs would have worn.
A group of voyageur's bringing in a canoe as part of the ceremony
On Sunday we said goodbye to all of our new friends and headed out to the snowy hinterlands for the drive home. We had a wonderful time and I see now why people head back there year after year.
A couple of people I have to mention....the hosts for the weekend provided by the Festival were superb. Aquatennial's host, Joanna was terrific and her daughter Melanie helped as well.
Joanna and Melanie....
We had a ball with those two along with everyone else (Suzanne, George, Jacques, Paulette, Mario, Daniel, Coco, etc....I know I'm missing people and if you read this and don't see your name, it's because I'm a horrible person and I can't remember everyone!).We love you Winnipeg.....see all of you in July at Aquatennial!
Lindsey Peterson
Captain, 2008 Minneapolis Aquatennial
