If you’re heading out to the lake this weekend or just driving down the Trans-Canada Highway east of Winnipeg, you might want to plan a stop at the Centre of Canada Park. There’s something new happening, and it’s both tasty and photo-worthy.
There's a new bear in town
Martha Petrusevich, Economic Development Officer for the RM of Tache, recalls a conversation with local chainsaw artist Bernie Penner, who recently inquired about making a donation to the Centre of Canada Park. Penner told her he had a carving of a mother polar bear and her cub nearly completed. He added that he had intended to paint it, deliver it and was willing to maintain it. After some discussion, Penner got his answer.
Yes.
Then last week, the wood carving arrived at the Centre of Canada Park and was placed in such a place that would draw the interest of tourists and locals passing by.
Now the donated carving stands tall and proud, already drawing crowds.
Petrusevich says, “When we were unloading it, tourists were stopping, taking pictures and videos, they were super excited about it. And since then, every time I’ve gone back, people are still stopping to take pictures. It’s cool, and it’s in a great spot where you can get the Centre of Canada sign in the background.”
She adds that the polar bear artist would be taking responsibility for keeping it in good condition going forward. Petrusevish is excited about the location of the bears.
“It's pretty cool because the place has a good angle to have the 'Center of Canada' sign in the background. So it looks pretty.”
NEW Center of Canada Farmers Market
Besides the Big Red Chair and the mother bear and cub, a brand-new Farmers’ Market is launching on Friday, June 27, right at the "Centre of Canada" site, and it’s shaping up to be more than just your average market.
It will be open every other Friday from 3:00 to 7:30 pm. This new community-driven event is designed to highlight homemade goods, local baking, and hand-crafted products, all from vendors right in the area.
Petrusevich says, “So we have about 1,500 traffic count on a regular summer day stopping at the Centre of Canada. And so we thought, to be able to have local vendors, you know, people who bake or craft at home, to have a platform to sell their stuff, this would be a cool economic driver for our businesses.”
Why on a Friday afternoon?
“We said, there are so many people heading to their cottages, to Kenora, or the lake,” Petrusevich adds. “They can stop and get homemade goods like jams, baked goods, even supper and snacks for local residents.”
This Friday’s market will feature a unique local collaboration, besides the fresh produce and craft vendors.
“We have a local private school group, ELF (Education for Life) Academy, and a bunch of ladies have been busy baking in their church’s commercial kitchen. They’re coming together to raise funds for a school addition.”
The market will run on a bi-weekly schedule, with two Fridays in July and two in August also on the calendar.
Whether you're travelling along the TransCanada Highway going East or West, or just looking for fresh produce or one-of-a-kind crafts on a Friday afternoon, the “Centre of Canada” Park Farmer’s Market is the place to stop. It’s a chance to support local vendors, grab something homemade, and maybe even hug a polar bear (well, a wooden one at least).
The Centre of Canada Park, just off the Trans-Canada Highway near the RM of Tache Office and Public Works facility.
