How to Prep for Canada Day at The Forks!

Our beautiful country's birthday is coming up quickly! On Friday, we celebrate 149 years of top-notch hockey, endless Tim Hortons runs, cold beer, and poutine at least once a week.

We've put together your Canada Day prep-guide, so you don't have to worry about forgetting the essentials on Friday!

1. Dress the part

Take everything you own that's red and white and find a place to put it. We're talking layers of red and white, bandanas, your mom's red earrings from the 70s, and Canadian flag temporary tattoos everywhere (extra points if you have a Canadian flag headband like this cutie)!

Don't have much red and white? Two Rivers in The Forks Market has a ton of Canadian gear.

2. Know the schedule

There's a ton happening at The Forks on Friday, so check the schedule and make sure you know where you want to be, and when you need to be there.

3. Plan to play

Head over to the Variety Heritage Adventure Playground during breaks between events to keep the kiddos entertained and having a blast.

4. Pack the essentials

Pack your favorite backpack with everything you'll need for the day. Here is a quick checklist of essentials:

• Water bottle (to refill at the water fountains in The Forks Market)
• Sunscreen
• Bubbles (yes – we consider bubbles essentials)
• A blanket to sit on
• Some snacks or some cash for the food trucks
• Your favorite pair of shades

5. Make sure you know the lyrics

Concerts are so much more fun when you can sing along with the band, EH? Manitoba Music has put together an amazing playlist of the musicians playing on Canada Day. 

6. Pick a patio

Who doesn't love a late dinner on a patio? The patios on Canada Day have an extra special allure – everyone dressed in red and white, sipping drinks, and bursting out in a chorus of "O Canada"!

7. Practice makes perfect

Put on your favorite version of "O Canada" in the days leading up to Canada Day and warm up those vocal chords! Sarah McLachlan singing "O Canada" at the 2014 Heritage Classic gives us all the feels.

8. Wear closed-toe shoes

The crowds get bigger and more cramped in the evening, and unfortunately with that comes a lot of getting stepped on. The best way to avoid constant "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry"s, is to keep your toes protected!

9. Plan to visit both stages

There will be live music at the Main Stage in Festival Field and under The Canopy. So, pick who you want to see at each stage, so you don't miss any of your favorites.

10. Pick out a viewing spot

The fireworks start at 11:00 p.m., so make sure you get a spot early. The best ones fill up quickly! Some of the dreamiest spots are down by the river, along Tache Ave across the river, and on top of the hill in Festival Field.

See you Friday, Winnipeg!

Countdown to the 2017 Games: One Year To Go Celebration

Guest Post: Sara from Canada Summer Games

Countdown to the 2017 Games: One Year To Go Celebration

Winnipeg will host the Canada Games next summer and the kickoff celebration is happening at The Forks! This event is one you can’t miss. Join us July 28, 2016 from 4 – 9PM for a free concert, games, giveaways, and a special mascot appearance by Niibin! 

Headlining acts for the free show include some of Manitoba’s biggest talents:

• DJ Mama Cutsworth
• JP Hoe
• Leonard Sumner
• Kelly Bado
• Dirty Catfish Brass Band

Free, fun, family activities will fill the Forks Market Plaza. You can test the speed of your pitch, perfect your rowing technique, and vie for soccer’s hardest kick while trying out the Canada Games sports.

After you’ve listened to some tunes and played some games, you can get your official Games Gear and take selfies with Niibin (the Games’ mascot).

The Canada Games are this country’s largest multi-sport event for young athletes and in 2017 will celebrate their 50th anniversary along with Canada’s 150th birthday. We can’t wait to welcome the athletes, coaches, officials, spectators, volunteers and everyone who will join us for the 2017 Canada Summer Games!

RSVP to the celebration on Facebook

For complete event details, visit canadagames.ca/2017

The Plaza Celebrates 10 Years!

On June 30, 2006 at 2:00 pm, we opened The Plaza. That's right – it's been 10 years of skating at The Forks! We can't believe it, and we can't wait to celebrate The Plaza's 10 Year Anniversary next Thursday, June 30.

In 2006, Steve Berra and members of his pro-skate team broke in the brand-new skatepark with Winnipeg's skate community.

Even before any wheels hit the fresh concrete, skateboarders and skatepark designers were calling it “Canada’s Number One Skateboard Plaza.”

Since then, The Plaza has lived up to that title. Some of the best skaters in the world have flocked to The Plaza, and raved about the park.

Do you recognize this guy??

In 2007, Tony Hawk – the legend himself! – came to The Forks to test out The Plaza. He had such a good time that he included The Plaza in this Secret Skatepark Tour 3 DVD in 2009! 



Tony Hawk also brought out his friends and world-renowned skaters, Bam Margera and Andrew Reynolds, to check out the park.

The list of pro-skaters that have sought out The Plaza doesn't end there.

Last week, on June 17, another skate legend visited The Forks. Paul Rodriguez, along with Shane O'Neill, and 6 other skaters came to The Plaza for The Primitive Canada Tour.

The Plaza 10 Year Anniversary Event

Skate down to The Forks on June 30 from 6-9pm to celebrate The Plaza's 10th birthday! Pro-skaters, Garrett Hill, Forrest Edwards, Chris Wimer and more, will be kicking off the event with a skate demo. After they have fully blown your mind with their skill, we will have the Vans Best Trick Competition, so be sure to bring your A game!

Here's to the next ten years of landing new tricks and riding until your legs hurt!

The Art Underpass: A Youthful Take on Manitoba

If you passed under the York Avenue underpass after National Aboriginal Day yesterday, you probably noticed some lit up shadow boxes along the brick walls. These shadow boxes show off the artwork of some Winnipeg's super talented youth.

They collaborated on the banners after touring the Frontier School Division art show at The Graffiti Gallery in February and March. The students picked out some of their favorite things about Manitoba, created stencils, and filled up the canvas while they were freshly inspired by Frontier School Divisions' art show.

Now, they get an art show of their own – every day at The Art Underpass!

This beautiful urban gallery wouldn't have been possible without the amazing Graffiti Art Programming Inc..

Graffiti Art Programming Inc. celebrates the role art plays in Manitoban's lives by offering art programs that enhance Winnipeg's cultural well-being. They offer painting, dancing, drawing, rapping – you name it!


What would you put on you Manitoba themed painting first? We would go for the joining of the Assiniboine and Red rivers (of course)!

Being Green in Manitoba: What's New at Generation Green?

Generation Green now has an entire section dedicated to our beautiful province! The Made in Manitoba section features local companies who make food you can really feel good about putting on your plate.

Our favorite thing about the Made in Manitoba section is the bulk food section. It features all organic, non GMO products. The Manitoba Rice, Quinoa, and Oats are as Manitoban as a good wedding social (very)! 

You will find:

Chia Seeds Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas) Green Lentils Trail Mix Pumpkin Seeds Spanish Almonds Sunflower Seeds Roasted Pistachio’s with Sea Salt Popcorn Kernels Baking Soda Baking Powder Cornstarch

Goji Berries Medejool Dates Pea Protein Powder Chocolate Chips Xylitol Coconut Flour Coconut Flakes Manitoba Quinoa Manitoba Naked Oats Manitoba Stoneground Whole Wheat Flour Manitoba Wild Rice

This is adding onto their already massive bulk cleaning and skincare section where you can buy eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and all the other products that keep you lookin’ good. There are also eco-friendly household cleaners to keep your place lookin’ just as good!

Please remember to bring your own container, so we can be even more eco-friendly by eliminating waste.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the treats!

In the Made in Manitoba section, you will also find a freezer filled with POP CART popsicles, ice cream from Cornell Creme, and cookie dough from sweet C bakery! Perfect for summer days when the sun is hot.

Try out this yummy recipe with Generation Green’s Splendor Garden spice section.

Vegetarian Burgers

What you need:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 cup crackers, crushed
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp, soya sauce
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tsp Splendor Garden Sage
• 3/4 tsp Splendor Garden Thyme
• 1/4 tsp Splendor Garden Garlic Salt

How to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Brown onions in a skillet
3. Combine other ingredients in a separate bowl and add onions
4. Slowly add water until moist (about 1/2 cup)
5. Mix well
6. Form into patties
7. Brown the patties in skillet
8. Bring 2 cups water to a boil
9. Place patties in pan
10. Add boiling water and 1 tbsp soya sauce to pan
11. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes
12. DONE!

Generation Green will be under the canopy, Sunday, June 26, for demos and information on gardening, sprouting, food nutrition, aeroponic gardening, herbal infused skincare, and more! Come and learn from special guests Dave Hanson from Sage Garden Greenhouse and Tara from Mama Pacha Herbal Skincare.

If it rains (crossing our fingers!), the event will be held inside The Forks Market by the by the Market Tower elevator.

5 Events to Check Out During Bike Week

We love summer for so many reasons! But, one of the best things about summer is that we can go for evening bike rides with our favorite people while the sun is setting over downtown. 

🚲

June 18-24 is Bike Week, and we can’t wait! It’s an entire week dedicated to those evening bike rides, your daily commute, and morning rides with the kids!

These are some of our favorite events happening during Bike Week. Check out their Event Schedule for the full list.

Sunday, June 19th | Community Bike Shop Day | 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Is your bike making a strange noise you can’t fix? The W.R.E.N.C.H. with South Osborne Bike Hub, Orioles Bike Cage, and The Bike Dump will be under The Canopy to tune up your bike, so it’s running smoothly for the week. 

While you’re here, tie-dye a Bike Week shirt for $10 or bring something white from home. Don’t have a bike? We will be auctioning off refurbished bikes at 2:00 pm.

Tuesday, June 21st | Birds Hill, Biking and Beer | 4:30 pm

Now here is a perfect evening – riding from downtown to Birds Hill Park and coming back for a well-deserved beer on a patio! Meet the Executive Director of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, Stefano Grande, at Air Canada Park for this city to park ride. You can register by calling the Biz at (204) 958-4640.

Wednesday, June 22nd | Moveable Feast | 5:30 - 10:00 pm

Cycling is hard work, and hard work makes us hungry. We can’t wait for this ride because along the way, you stop at five different restaurants downtown - Little Sister Coffee Maker, Café 22, East India Company, Carbone Coal Fired Pizza, and The Planit. We’ve never had such a delicious bike ride! The ride cost $40, and you can register here.

Thursday, June 23rd | 2016 Bicycle Infrastructure Tour | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Bike Winnipeg and Active Transportation Planner, Erik Dickson, will be leading a ride around Winnipeg, explaining some of Winnipeg’s cycling infrastructure. You’ll learn why these paths and bridges popped up, where there’s room for improvement, and where it’s going. Space is limited, so make sure to register!

Friday, June 24th | 9th Annual Bike to Work Day | 6:30 to 9:00 am 

                               | Winnipeg BBQ Party | 4:00 - 7:00 pm

We’re riding our bikes to work on Friday and stopping at the pit stops along the way! Stop by the W.R.E.N.C.H. by The Caboose for a tune up and a fuel up with juice and a Tall Grass Prairie Bakery cinnamon bun!

After work, ride down to the University of Winnipeg for Bike Week Winnipeg BBQ Party. Grab some free food (first 300 people), and buy a pint of Bike Week’s special brew, Bikey McBikeface Grapefruit Lager by Half Pints. Yes, it’s called Bikey McBikeface Grapefruit Lager, and we’re loving it!

While you’re there, dance to the DJ and check out the displays and demonstrations. Bring the kids! They can play in the kids area and decorate their bikes.

Happy riding!

Date Idea: Bike Ride & Picnic at The Forks

 

Hands down, one of my favourite things about summer is a leisurely bike ride and a picnic. One of the best Winnipeg destinations on bike is The Forks. My husband Bob and I recently rode to The Forks on a sunny Friday night and had a lovely picnic date.

With all the bike paths, it’s a quick and easy ride over to The Forks. No parking, no traffic. And? Exercise and fresh air! Watching the world go by while cruising on my bike makes me so happy. You can see so much more on a bike! The city comes alive. To plan your bike route to The Forks check out the trail listings. On super busy days The Forks offers bike valet service, the valets will usher your bike away and lock it up, so fancy!

A picnic at The Forks is the best because you don’t need to pack a thing! The market is loaded with options. When I think picnic, I think France. So, I immediately gravitate toward the cheese and baguette at Tall Grass Bakery. But, you could get ANYTHING from the food vendors and take it outside. With the new Food Hall opening soon, there’s even more exciting options around the corner!

On the way out, we popped into Johnston Terminal and grabbed an Italian soda from Espresso Junction and a frisbee from Kite and Caboodle.

There is no shortage of picnic spots at The Forks. Shade, sun, river view, people view, whatever you need The Forks has it! Strolling around looking for the perfect spot is half the fun.

My favourite picnic spot is smack dab in the middle of it all! Sitting here you get the ultimate Winnipeg skyline view. CMHR, the Esplanade bridge, Portage and Main, The Hotel Fort Garry. It really is the best downtown view.

We think of The Forks as our own backyard. It’s where we come to play, relax and spend time outside. When is the last time you went outside and just played?

I love kicking back here. I turn off my phone. Read, nap, play some more frisbee, eat some more cheese…it doesn’t get much better. I wonder if I can convince someone to put up a large hammock installation?

I just love a picnic date, it’s a simple forgotten way to spend time together. Whether it’s a date with your sweetie pie, pal or kids, I highly recommend adding it to your Winnipeg summer to do list!

Lindsay Somers is a Lifestyle Health Coach. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram. Photos by Janine Kropla.