We hope you’ve enjoyed your summer and managed to visit some of the many cultural events around Manitoba over the last couple of months.
You might remember back in July, we asked you to share your family’s summer traditions and your favourite memories. Explore the results below.
Which Manitoba summer event do you always try to attend?
The top results included Gimli’s Icelandic Festival (30%), Folkorama (30%), country fairs such as Portage la Prairie’s Potato Festival (20%) and Canada Day celebrations (20%). Some also highlighted Dauphin’s Ukrainian Festival as a must-attend. Others mentioned Rainbow Stage and the Cook Creek Medieval Festival.
If you’ve attended any others this summer, let us know in the comments below!
Tell us about your family’s summer traditions
Here are some of your responses:
“We used to spend Canada Day with my grandparents. My nanny would make fresh hamburgers and they’d cook them over a charcoal barbecue. It was one of my favourite days of the year! Otherwise, we’d have bonfires as a family at night and sit under the stars chatting, even if it was just mom and I.”
“Heading to Cook’s Campground for a family reunion every July long weekend.”
“We frequently have family get togethers at Victoria Beach.”
“We usually attend Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, MB every year. Between performing there on the grandstand, volunteering, or just taking in the weekend, my family and I have been going nearly every year since 2007.”
“My dad was an avid fisherman on the Valley River near Dauphin. Many evenings were spent lazing down that river in our small motor boat. Good times.”
Traditions carried on from your ancestors
Only one-third of respondents said their family traditions were passed down from their ancestors. “Traditions include Ukrainian Christmas and Easter,” said one person. “More traditions are being reclaimed including following and welcoming in the seasons, such as ‘calling in spring’, and celebrating the summer solstice.” Another respondent added that fishing and canning are traditions they’ve inherited.
Do you research in the summer?
Unsurprisingly, the majority of you said that you research your family tree less in the summer. Seeing as it’s often a time to enjoy the weather or spend time with family, it makes sense! However, of those who said they research more or about the same, respondents said they’d dive into DNA, newspapers, and field research such as “exploring cemeteries and driving the countryside to find family homesteads.”
Share fond memories of your summers
These are some of the fond summer memories respondents shared:
“Going to Gilbert Plains to visit my grandparents — tubing on the river, going to the fair, bike riding with my cousins, going into ‘the valley’ to play, the old wooden playground. Or going on road trips with family and stopping at different places along the way. One road trip to BC was particularly beautiful, and we stopped at some amazing places with amazing sights.”
“I fondly remember visiting my Aunt’s parents farm near La Rivière, MB. I did this for several summers.”
“Spending time at the family cabin and being outdoors for the entire day.”
“Girl Guide Camp at Mossey River.”
“Boating on Lake Winnipeg.”
“Visiting my grandparents in Winnipeg.”
“As kids, we were allowed to stay up late during harvest time, camping out with snacks in the front yard, while waiting for our dad, grandpa, and uncle to roll in on the combine and grain truck after a long day on the field. The farm always buzzed with activity at that time of year. Grandpa came from town and our uncle came out from the city to pitch in. We’d also pack and deliver field lunches for them and, if we were lucky, get to go for a ride with dad or grandpa, or even drive a piece of equipment for a few minutes! Even though summers were busy on the farm, we all piled into the car and drove to Winnipeg Beach on Sunday evenings for ice cream.”