Alberta's Provincial Historic Sites & Museums Special Events 2007

Fort George & Buckingham House

Saturday June 30: Great Family Fur Factor
A day of fur era themed competitions designed for families. Compete in one event for prizes or the whole lot for a prize of historic proportions and the title of "Fur Factor Champion". Same day as The Elk point Centennial.

Sunday July 22: Saskatoon festival and Craft Fair
Join the Friends of The Forts for a craft fair full of local artisans, a bison meal, and of course the delightful taste of Saskatoon desserts. Special Saskatoon tours.

Sunday August 26: Forts des Prairie Jamboree
Join us for a full afternoon of excellent music and performance by local artists in a jamboree format. Bison burgers, tours, kids games and activities. Bring your banjo!

Father Lacombe Chapel

August 12: Mission Hill Day
Return to the roots of St. Albert with programs looking at the people, buildings and events that shaped the mission. Join us for enhanced tours of the Chapel, Cemetery, and Crypt. Enjoy a taste of the mission's first crop and bannock.

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

Saturday & Sunday, June 16 & 17: Hillcrest Mine Disaster 93rd Anniversary
Join in on guided walks of the Hillcrest Cemetery, audio-visual and interpretive presentations at the Frank Slide Centre and the installation of the interpretive panels of the Hillcrest Cemetery restoration project.

August 3 - 6: Crowsnest Pass Doors Open & Heritage Festival.
The Crowsnest Pass is excited to launch its second annual Doors Open and Heritage Festival weekend. Join community groups, individuals and business as they offer free Doors Open programming throughout the community. Guided hikes, garden tours, cemetery tours and heritage building tours will all be a part of the Doors Open programming. Heritage Festival programming will include special programming at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Bellevue Underground Coal Mine, Crowsnest Pass Museum, community festivals and much more.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

May 15 - September 15: Tipi Camping
Camp beneath the cliffs of a World Heritage Sites steeped in thousands of years of culture and history of the Plains People. Sleep in a Blackfoot tipi, hike the trails, explore the Interpretive Centre and sample the food. Ask about our tipi camping packages: Rustic, Evening Star or Buffalo Trails. See the web site for details.

June 21: National Aboriginal Day
A celebration recognizing First Nations' contributions to Canadian society. Blackfoot entertainers and historians plus workshops featuring story-telling and tranditional games are part of this special day.

July 4 - August 29: Drumming and Dancing on the Plaza
Every Wednesday, join us on the plaza to watch spectacular dance performances. Listed to live Blackfoot drumming and singing featuring some of the best Native dancers in western Canada.

July 22: Birthday Bash
Come celebrate the Interpretive Centre's 20th birthday. This multi-cultural event will feature a variety of special activities including performances from the international and aboriginal communities.

Historic Dunvegan

Sunday July 1, Noon to 4pm: Canada Day
The afternoon will include games, crafts, tours of our three historic buildings and more. Admission is half price.

Sunday August 5, 11am - 5pm: Annual Fresh Air Market
Shop for unique crafts, gifts and treats - all hand crafted by artisans from the Peace Country. In addition to the market, Dunvegan's three historic buildings will be open for tours and there will be activities for kids (regular admission fees apply).

Every Wednesday in July and August, 11am - 4pm for kids ages 7-12: Day Camps Activities include crafts, games, movies and more. Fee: $10 per child. Bring a bag lunch.

Every Sunday in July and August 2pm - 4pm: Sunday Fundays
Drop by the Visitor Center for a fun activity such as a bannock bake, craft, amphitheatre or game. Regular admission fees apply.

September 2: "Did You Know?" Event
Did you know that Our Lady of Peace statue has moved? Did you know the visitor experience at Dunvegan is being enhanced? To find out about these issues and more, please plan to attend Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park on Sept. 2. More details will be released at a later date.

Oil Sands Discovery Centre

May 19: Experience the Energy Tours begin and run throughout the summer (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon in June; and 7 days a week in July, August). These tours require at least 24 hour advance booking. Contact Fort McMurray Tourism at (780) 791- 4336 to book and for more information.

July 22, 27 and August 5, 17: Historic Abasand Hikes. Join a summer evening hike through the Horse River Valley and to the site of one of the first oil sands companies. $3 per person. Call 743- 7167 for more information.

Remington Carriage Museum

August 24 & 25: World Miniature Chuck Wagon Championships
These chuck wagons are approximately one half the size of those on the professional circuit and are pulled by a team of four miniature horses, but they pack all the punch of their regular sized counterparts! The Alberta Miniature Chuck Wagon Racing Association will supply a minimum of ten wagons, teams, drivers and crews. There will be approximately 12 races per day.

Now until Labour Day: Tea for Two
Afternoon Teas will run Monday through Saturday from 12pm to 4pm in our Sunroom. High Tea is scheduled to run from 3pm to 5pm on Thursday but must be prebooked. The price for both Afternoon and High Tea includes admission to the museum, a Victorian themed tour, a carriage ride and a 10% discount at the Giftshop. Teas are scheduled to run up to and including Labour Day.

Reynolds-Alberta Museum

June 9 & 10: History Road: The Ultimate Car Show
History Road highlights the best of a century of automotive history. This spectacular two-kilometre display of more than 300 cars, trucks and motorcycles will feature rare vehicles from the Reynolds-Alberta Museum collection, as well as those from enthusiasts from across Alberta.

From the roaring '20s, the dirty '30s, the nifty '50s, the groovy '60s, or the '70s, '80s, '90s and 2000s - we have them all! We bring out some of our coolest stuff - like the 1903 Rambler, a 1953 MG, and a 1953 Ford Crestline Convertible. We fire them up and drive them around, too!

The highlight of each day is the "cars AND clothes" in a stunning visual spectacle where both cars and fashion "parade through the century."

September 1 & 2: Harvest Festival
Celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of bringing in the harvest. Steam power, gas power, diesel power - we have it all! Watch the farm hands as they bring in the harvest with demonstrations all day long. With women's work never done, watch as the women and children demonstrate the backbreaking work of winnowing and flailing. Home-made bread and a Farmers Market offer the great tastes of the harvest.

Until September 15: Showin' Off: Our Warehouse Rarities On Display
This is the feature summer exhibit at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum. This exhibit features an exceptional display of 50 rare, unusual and one-of-a-kind vintage cars, and three aircraft, specifically selected from the museum's renowned warehouse collection.

June 11 - August 20: Ten Weeks of Special Programming

Royal Alberta Museum

Now showing until September 3 - Stories from the Southesk Collection: A 150-Year Journey
One of the world's premier collections of historic First Nations and Mets artifacts has come home to Western Canada. The Southesk Collection features 33 objects acquired in 1859-60 by James Carnegie, the 9th Earl of Southesk, during his travels across the Canadian plains.

Now showing until September 3: Cool and Collected - See the unseen from the Museum's collections!
Visitors will have an unprecedented opportunity to view our favourite objects, providing a glimpse into the magnitude and diversity of the collections and illustrating the importance of collecting the pieces that both interpret and preserve our past.

Now showing until September 3: Galen Rowell - A Retrospective
Photographs with visionary interpretations of landscape—celebrations of light, colour and rare natural phenomena. Rowell was the archetypal adventure photographer, having his iconic images published in leading magazines and exhibited in major galleries. This first comprehensive retrospective of his work combines his images and writings on a wide range of subjects, including climbing and expeditionary feats, exotic cultures, endangered wildlife and extraordinary places.

Now showing until September 3: Small Wonders: The miniscule magnified
Astonishing images of miniscule specimens are revealed in photographs using the Scanning Electron Microscope (or SEM). Tiny objects, such as seeds, might seem simple and ordinary by the naked eye, but when magnified by the SEM, they show an amazing intricacy, when zoomed in further they reveal complicated structures and patterns. This collection of 28 SEM images showcases the surprising charm of this microworld.

August 5 - 7, daily from 10:00am - 4:00pm: The Bug Fair is your chance to get up close and personal with all sorts of critters. De-bug your superstitions with The Story-bug-fella Tom McCormack, try a tasty bug treat and take home a bug balloon. The Bug Fair will provide visitors with practical knowledge and insight into our insect neighbours.
A detailed list of activities can be found at www.royalalbertamuseum.ca
Location: 12845-102nd Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta
Phone: (780) 453-9100

Royal Tyrrell Museum

May - Labour Day: Indoor and outdoor day programs, guided hikes, educational sessions and residential camps

Beginning on the May long weekend, visitors will experience more than 21,000 square feet of new exhibits highlighting the most ambitious revitalization in the Royal Tyrrell Museum's 22 year history.

Cretaceous Alberta: Travel back in time and experience what Alberta was like 70-million years ago. Wander through the recreated swampland and come face-to-face with a pack of life-sized albertosaurs.

Ceratopsians - The Horned Herbivores: Discover Alberta's newest dinosaur, Albertaceratops nesmoi, in this innovative exhibit showcasing the museum's extensive collection on this fascinating creature, a cousin of the more well-known Triceratops.

Lords of the Land: There are dinosaurs and then there are theropods - giant carnivores from the Cretaceous age. The museum's collection features some of the most rare and scientifically significant pieces that are unrivalled anywhere in the world.

Ice Age Mammals: Cool down this summer by visiting this exhibit on the Ice Age and discover how these ancient mammals lived. The exhibit runs until September 30.

Rutherford House

Sunday, July 1, 12 - 4pm: Dominion Day Event
Celebrate our nation's birthday the old-fashioned way. Visit Rutherford House for a fabulous afternoon of fun, games, cheers and birthday smiles. Young and old alike are invited to our house for a celebration of Canada's past.

Sunday, July 22, 12 - 4pm: Edmonton in the Past
Celebrate local history during Historic Edmonton Week by visiting Rutherford House. Join us for captivating tours and fun family activities, as you experience the 1915 charm of this elegant mansion.

Sunday, August 19, 12 - 4pm: Old-Time Penny Carnival
Bring your pennies and your family! We will provide the smiles and laughter, all part of the events planned for our annual Penny Carnival. Complete with a fishpond, penny throw, ring toss and other old-fashioned carnival games.

Stephansson House

Sunday, June 24 - 2:00pm - 6:00pm: Poetry at Stephan's House
Join us for a day filled with poetry, including workshops in the morning, poetry readings, live entertainment plus fun and crafts for the kids in the afternoon.
We will be announcing the winners of the Stephansson House Poetry Contest, celebrating the poetry of Stephan G. Stephansson, and recognizing local literary talent. Workshops require pre-registration and have limited space!

Sunday, August 26 - 12:00pm - 5:00pm: Harvest Penny Carnival
Celebrate harvest time the old fashioned way! Sample some Icelandic food, shop the outdoor market, enjoy some poetry and a musical interlude (or two). Children bring your pennies for some fun playing our mini-carnival games. Stroll around the Harvest Market tables laden with home grown and home made goodies and check out the traditional handicraft demonstrations. Tons of fun for the whole family.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Monday, May 21, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Celebration of Dance
Ukrainian dance groups will dazzle you with their vibrant costumes and boundless energy as they perform throughout the day. There will be over 600 dancers including the world renowned Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Watch historic settlers prepare fields and welcome the new spring season. In addition to a fabulous quilt display, there are children's activities, a Village Market, musical entertainment, and sheep shearing.

Saturday, June 30, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Vintage Day (New!)
Calling all vintage car enthusiasts! Gear up to see a colourful collection of over 150 vintage vehicles, proudly shown by their owners from across North America. Other activities include a Village Market, roving musicians, and special historic activities throughout the day.

Sunday, July 15, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Kalyna Fest - featuring Kalyna Idol
Embark upon a festive journey as Kalyna Country presents a spectacular lineup of talent at the first Kalyna Idol concert. Mix & mingle with an assortment of Kalyna displayers at the Kalyna Country Community Showcase and expect some old fashioned fun with children's activities, wagon rides, Village Market and musical entertainment.

Sunday, August 12, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Ukrainian Day - featuring "A Taste Of Ukraine"
Live a day the Ukrainian way! Everyone is welcome to celebrate all things Ukrainian: "A Taste of Ukraine" Food Fair, Ukrainian Community Showcase, Musical Concert, and more. Visit the Historic Village; take in the Church Services, Memorial Services, and Centenary Pioneer celebrations.

Sunday, August 26, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Friends' Ukrainian Music Fest
Come for the music. Stay for the food, fun and festivities. Non-stop main stage performances will feature a great lineup of bands with a good mix of both new and old favorites at the 23rd annual Friends' Ukrainian Music Festival. The concert is accented with a visit to the Historic Village, traditional Ukrainian food, Village Market, exhibits and more!

Sunday, September 9, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Harvest of the Past & A Taste of Heritage
Described as one of the best autumn events in Canada! This spectacular harvest and food extravaganza starts with an early-bird breakfast followed by an abundance of Alberta-produced foods such as buffalo, elk, organic foods, and Ukrainian food. Travel into the past and take in the nostalgic harvest activities and historic demonstrations including binding, stooking, baling and threshing. Purchase specialty food items & crafts, watch demonstrations, and listen to all-day musical entertainment.

Monday - Friday, July 23 - 27 11:00am & 2:00pm: Historic Garden Tours
Held in conjunction with Edmonton and Athabaska District Historic Festival. Discover planting secrets of the day, a little bit of folklore, and have a visit with a settler or two. Who knows what seeds you'll discover? Max. 20 visitors/tour. Please register in advance.

May - October: Music Exhibit - Sounds of the Prairies
This exhibit is a celebration of a unique style of music that combines the traditions of old world Ukraine with the flavours of the Canadian prairies. Historic photographs, musical instruments and related artifacts and sound recordings will present the images and stories of this music and people who kept it alive.

Pich - Clay Ovens
The Village has three historic pich (pronounced peach) or clay ovens, renowned for baking the best tasting bread to come out of a kitchen! View these ovens at the Grekul, Slemko or Pylypow homes. Follow your nose to see these unique convection ovens in operation. As we follow actual historic routines, please ask at the reception desk which ovens are in use.

Victoria Settlement

July 8: Victoria Settlement jamboree and craft sale
Celebrate the wonderful variety of musical talent and styles found in the community today in our jamboree and discover locally made treasures at the craft sale. This Sunday starts out with a Church service at 11:00, followed by a tea, craft sale and great local entertainment in a jamboree format. Hot food, Demonstrations and tours, kids activities.

August 19: Field and fort Day
Our celebration of the potato's key role in the development of this province and the survival of the early missionaries, settlers and fur traders. 11:00 church service, black powder re-enactor camp and demonstrations, potato competitions, prizes, entertainment, and hot food.

For your FREE GUIDE call: 1-800-ALBERTA(1-800-252-3782).