The Fort la Reine Museum welcomed families for its first-ever Father’s Day event on Saturday, turning its usual tranquil grounds into a lively hub of activity. In a partnership with United Way West Central Manitoba, everything from games to gift-giving was available and there was something for everyone to enjoy. Cindy McDonald, the museum’s community outreach coordinator, calls the event a strong success.
“We're so happy with it for the first-ever Father's Day event. A couple of hundred people attended. The weather was beautiful and everyone who came through had lots of fun,” McDonald says.
Activities throughout the day offered something for all ages, with local businesses adding unique touches to the fun.
“We had bucket golf sponsored by Southport and a bouncy castle. One of our supporters, Nick Hourie’s ProClean, did some mini cleaning of cars, and Meraki was here doing beard trims, as well as a BBQ sponsored by Homestead Co-op and Youth for Christ,” she adds.
What made the event truly special was the opportunity it gave kids to connect with their dads through simple, meaningful moments.
“A lot of kids came with their dads and had the opportunity to purchase gifts for them right here. We had gift wrapping, and it was a great day to spend with the family," she explains.
Local officials also got involved in the celebration, adding an extra element of fun and community pride. Among the guests were Portage la Prairie RM Reeve Roy Tufford, who sat down for a hot shave, and Councillor Preston Meier, who took to the grill to barbecue for the crowd.
The Father's Day celebration is just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a busy and eventful summer season at the museum.
One event to look forward to is Volunteer Day on June 28th, when community members are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and participate in site improvement projects, such as landscaping, painting, and building garden boxes. No museum experience is required; bring your tools or gardening gear and help wherever you can.
With a successful kickoff to summer now behind them, staff at Fort la Reine are looking ahead to more community-driven events in the weeks to come. Whether it’s lending a hand or enjoying a day out with family, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved.