This Weekend at The Forks: Free Fun for the Whole Fam

Winter is coming to its end, so it's time to get out there and enjoy the season that often defines our fine city of Winterpeg. Here are a whole slate of activities that are available to you and the rest of your family for free this weekend including all the Arctic Glacier Winter Park programming:

1. Sleigh rides

Sunday

1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Outside The Forks Market

Thanks to Duran Equipment, you can see The Forks by horse-drawn carriage. Hop on, and don't forget your camera because the horses are adorable and The Forks full of people on a Sunday in winter is a pretty magical sight.

2. Bannock making & storytelling

Sunday
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Teepee in Busker's Lookout

Join Barbara and Clarence Nepinak in the teepee to hear the stories of the land passed down through generations of Indigenous peoples while making a traditional food staple – bannock – plus it's super delicious.


3. Tobogganing

All the time
Festival Field

Grab your best sled and head to the hill in Festival Field for some fast, free fun.


4. Skating

All the time
The Canopy Rink, On-land trails, Red River Mutual Trail

This is a Forks staple, and if you haven't been skating yet, your time is running out, friend! Bring your own or rent a pair from Iceland Skate Rentals in The Market and skate a trail that has already broken a record this year – the longest Red River Mutual Trail we've ever had at 10km – and is about to break another – if the trail can stay open until February 28, it will be the longest on record at 69 days open!


5. Soul on Ice

Sunday
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Canopy Rink

Get your soul on under The Canopy for a perfect mix of dancing and skating. Sure, you may not be as elegant as Tessa and Scott from Team Canada's figure skating team, but hey, who really is? Bounce and glide to your favourite tunes with DJ Co-op and DJ Hunnicut.


6. Ice Castles

Okay this one isn't exactly free, but part of it is! Enter the code FREEKID18, and you will receive a free kid's pass when you purchase an adult pass to go along with it. This ice marvel won't last forever, and now is the time to check it out if you haven't already.


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• All booked up: McNally Robinson opens at The Forks
• Three skate tips for beginners
• Weekend Wrap-Up: Photos You Shared That Made Us Go 😍

Sneak Peek of Nuit Blanche at The Forks

Photo via Nuit Blanche Winnipeg

Nuit Blanche is without doubt one of our favourite nights of the year. This is the night when Winnipeg is wearing it's most stunning outfit – innovative art of all kinds with Winnipeggers filling the streets to witness it.

This dream-like night is approaching quickly (SATURDAY!). So gather your fellow art-loving friends and start planning where you want to hit.

Here are a few of the events happening at The Forks:

MAGNITUDE OF ORDER BY KIRK DUNKLEY

Photo via Nuit Blanche Winnipeg

This one may just be the installation that ends up flooding your Instagram feed. Once you step inside the cube you will experience Kirk Dunkley's vision of light, space, time, and technology. Don't forget to tag @theforkswinnipeg on Instagram, so we can share the stunning photos you're sure to take.


ONE BUCKET AT A TIME

A post shared by Winnipeg, MB • Dennis B (@menace204) on Sep 23, 2017 at 10:55am PDT

If you've wandered around The Forks lately, you'll see that this installation is already up in front of l'Esplanade Riel. It is both a piece of art and a symbol of Canadian generosity. After being installed in Mexico, One Bucket at a Time came to Winnipeg to help raise funds for orphans in Mexico. Be there at 8PM for a special performance by Japanese drum group, Fubuki Daiko.

Help design firm, 5468796 Architecture, bring back buckets of cash back to Mexico by donating.


MOTHS TO A FLAME

Photo via Nuit Blanche Winnipeg

Like a moth, we see a flame and walk towards it. It is a symbol of warmth, nutrition, comfort, and relationships. How many times have you been sitting around a fire with some of your favourite people and felt completely at ease while watching the flames flicker in the wind between conversations and sing-alongs? This glass work is an ole to just that.

Tuck into Travel Manitoba to gather around this fire while watching the light dance around the glass by Warren Carther.


MINI NUIT BLANCHE

Fun times... guess how many times #GerardAlfred went down this slide?! @sharongamurot #GamurotFamily

A post shared by Gilbert P. Gamurot (@ggamurot) on Sep 18, 2017 at 7:53pm PDT

Take advantage of free admission to the Manitoba Children's Museum to get a little childish until 8:30PM (this one isn't going all night, kiddos). And there's a bonus – you get to participate in a collaborative art piece with award-winning local artist, Megan Krause.


WANDERINGS AT THE COMMON

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The Common (@thecommonwpg) on Sep 24, 2017 at 1:11pm PDT

We're keeping this one a surprise (hehe). Come see!


WHO SAYS WE NEED FRESH AIR!?

Photo via Nuit Blanche Winnipeg

Reality check: a lot of Manitobans and folks from around the world are fighting for their right to safe housing and fresh air. Hear their voices through quotes projected onto the stone of the Oodena Celebration Circle gathered by artist and street photographer, Marie LeBlanc.

BAR NANO

A post shared by StorefrontMB (@storefront_mb) on Sep 16, 2017 at 4:01pm PDT

This little (literally) bar has been spending a lot of time at The Forks lately, and that's not about to change. Find the smallest bar in Canada on l'Esplanade Riel for a couple drinks in between hitting up Nuit Blanche events around The Forks.

HERENCIAS DE MEXICO – HERITAGE OF MEXICO EXHIBIT
Get ready to dance. This exhibit in The Market is an ode to everything Mexican – the dancing, the colours, the music, and even the piñata. 


See you there. 👀


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5 Stops to Make at Winnipeg Design Festival

Starting today until Saturday, Winnipeg Design Festival takes over The Forks with a whole series of installations to make that evening walk around The Forks even more magical. 

Here are a few you should be sure to stop at as you wander:

Manik Dreamscape

Mannequins. We look at them in stores, but really, we're looking at the cozy knit sweater it's modelling. This installation brings what's usually in the background to the forefront. Throughout the festival, these mannequins will be placed in different areas to highlight some of the main events. So, if you see a couple of these folks hanging around, there's likely something cool happening close by.

Models of the Future: Design Display

We are constantly thinking about the future of our space and the space around us, and so are these designers. They explore the possibilities, study the realities, and create models that are both stunning and very informed. 

One Bucket at a Time

What's beautiful about a bunch of buckets? When they're designed and placed strategically to create something that barely resembles its medium – a bucket – and looks more like a wave you can walk on and sit under, that's pretty beautiful. 

Bar Nano

It's the smallest bar in Canada, but the drinks could fool you otherwise. Today from 8PM until midnight, this little bar will be set up in Festival Field near the WINNIPEG sign to serve you cocktails all evening.

THIRD + BIRD Pop-up Market

On Thursday September 14th 5-8pm @artworkbytaylordawn will be selling her contemporary prints, at the Third + Bird market at the @wpgdesignfest by @storefront_mb on the beautiful grounds of Upper Fort Gary Park!⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ #winnipegevents #winnipegmarket #winnipeglocal #shoplocal #thirdandbird #thirdandbirdmarket #skipthemallshopsmall #ywg #204 #onlyinthepeg

A post shared by thirdandbird (@thirdandbird) on Sep 12, 2017 at 3:50pm PDT

So it may be a little early to start Christmas shopping, but it's always time to buy yourself a something new – especially something designed and made locally by Manitobans who care about craftsmanship and the local economy. Shop this hyper-local market on September 14 from 5-9PM and September 16 from 3-8PM.

ALL EVENTS

Other posts that might interest you:

• 5 Fall Habits to Start Today: Fall Back Into Routine at The Forks
• Endless Choices With the Flights of The Forks Market
• Take a Walk Through Caboose #76602

6 Summertide Events to Help You Hold on to Summer

Fall is going to have to take a step back because summer sure isn't over, and we're taking advantage of every last bit of it with a near summer arts festival – Summertide.

The art, architecture, music, theatre, dance, and literature festival runs from August 21 to September 4 at The Forks and includes a whole set of events that will let you soak in the last lingering days of summer.

1. Bar Nano

August 30, 2017 from 8:00 - 12:00 p.m.

Festival Field

Join us for a drink or two by the Winnipeg sign for Bar Nano – the smallest bar in Canada. This bar is so tiny it's transported by bike and is powered by battery. We can thank Storefront Manitoba for this brilliant idea in support of micro establishments everywhere.

2. Beach Blanket Bingo

August 31 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Beachscape, The Forks Historic Port

Bring your beach blankets and your bingo daubers and take part in the first ever true life Beach Blanket Bingo. There will be no Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalaon circa 1965, but there will be prizes, there will be hilarity, there will be fun had by all. 

3. Parking Lot Picnic

September 1 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Plaza Parking Lots, North Of The Forks Market

What's the best way to kick off the long weekend? There are many ways, but we're thinking a picnic in the sunshine is just about perfect. Bring your own picnic or grab something from in The Forks Market and join us in the parking lot outside. A wandering band will entertain you throughout your last lunch of the summer holidays.

4. The Aviary: An Installation of Light and Sound

September 1 - 3 from dusk to 11:00 pm

The Forks Historic Port

Wander through an ethereal and electric installation of wire framed birds and whimsical bird houses amongst the trees along the northwest side of The Forks Historic port. On Saturday night, the Riel Gentlemen’s Choir will serenade you from canoes on the Assiniboine River dressed in suits made of light. Yeah, suits made of light!? We can't wait to see this.

5. Bicycle Tricycle Bike Parade 

September 3 from 10 am – 12 pm

Begins at The Canopy – Parade at 11:30am

You bring the bicycle, tricycle, trainingwheels and family, we’ll provide the decorations and parade route. Art City will be here to provide the straws, streamers and cool things for your bike wheels and handlebars. Then show off your creation and participate in a parade throughout The Forks site.

6. Synonym Art Consultation Presents: NEREO ll with apprentice artist John Padua

September 3 - 4

South Main Entrance

Pop in to see a live mural painting to help kick off Wall-to-Wall Mural & Cultural Festival 2017! On Monday, join us for DJs and dancing while the Synonym crew covers another one of our walls in their stunning art.

Swing Dance + Other Free Activities to Get You Grooving at The Forks

Anytime you’re at The Forks it’s hard not to notice all the great events happening. It is the hub of summer activity in Winnipeg! Everyone knows about the Canada Summer Games and Interstellar Rodeo. But did you know that there are many classes, lessons and tours happening every day at The Forks? I recently went out of my comfort zone and tried one of the classes I never thought I would do — and it was so much fun!

Swing dancing! Now, my dancing skills are very, very limited. I truly do not know my left from my right. I’m more of a swaying side to side dancer. Any sort of organized moves always leave me confused and giggling. (Step aerobics are IMPOSSIBLE.)  But, when I found out my husband was an avid swing dancer in the late 90s and won competitions (?!) I pretty much had to try a class just to see his moves!

We decided to make a full night of it. We took the water bus from the Hugo Docks. With a boat arriving every 15 minutes it’s easy to just show up knowing a boat will arrive soon. Travelling to The Forks by boat is pretty magical. The wind in your hair while you shuttle along the river on a hot summer night feels so good. And, being out on the river always offers a fresh perspective to the city. At $3.50 each way, you have to try it out. It’s cheaper than parking! Also: bikes are permitted on the boat. So, if you’re not within walking distance to one of the docks you could ride over and bring your bike to The Forks. A whole new way to park and ride!

Before our our lessons we zipped into The Common for a glass of wine. Every time I sit at the bar at The Common, I always meet the most interesting people. It is the best spot to strike up a conversation with visitors to Winnipeg. I have made friends from all around the world at this bar. I may have even coaxed a few of them to join me for skating lessons this past winter! I almost convinced this guy to join us for dancing!  (he was already committed to other plans)

After a quick drink we made our way over to the canopy for our lessons! We joined a group of about 30 people of all ages. I immediately was so excited.

The "Swinging at Sunset" dance lessons happen every Tuesday at 7PM under the canopy. Lessons are free, you just show up! No partner needed. They have the music, the instructors and the fun! Our instructor Emily gave basic simple instructions to start. We stood in a circle and she slowly and clearly demonstrated the triple step and the rock step. Then we’d practice with our partners for a bit before adding to the moves. We even made it to the ‘turn’ level! It was quite easy to learn despite my directional challenges.

Then, after learning the moves, we’d switch partners! So fun. Bob, the super dancer gracefully lead his partners around and around. Me? I laughed and stumbled with my partners. The moves weren’t as precise - but they were fun! When else would I have an opportunity to connect with a tie dyed t-shirt wearing 20 something year old? Or meet Dee, the former 80s Blue Bomber cheerleader. It was a great vibe and so energizing to be surrounded by people who just wanted to dance and have fun.

After about 30 minutes of lessons it was all freestyle swing dancing! Swing music is so happy. We galloped around under the canopy swinging around. Bob confidently swung me in and out, turning me this way and that way, it was hilarious. It’s a pretty excellent way to spend a summer evening. I legitimately learned a few dance moves too!

I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what community programs The Forks offers. From the hardcore fitness go-ers to senior fitness classes to skateboarding lessons - there is something for everybody. If swing dancing isn’t your thing, here’s a list of all the active community events that you can try out this month at The Forks:

Skateboarding lessons

I AM Fitness senior fitness classes

Parent and child fitness classes Fit 4 Two

Lunchtime bootcamp classes

The November Project

Walking Eco Tour

Indigenous oral bike tour

Square, line and clogging dancing

Last year I did a November Project workout and blogged about it here. And I received tips from Frances, the 90 year old superstar of the I AM Fitness classes for seniors.

Let’s go play outside at The Forks! Can’t wait to see you there!

Lindsay Somers is a Lifestyle Health Coach in Winnipeg. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram. All Photos by Mark Reimer.