After being cancelled due to the Fort McMurray wildfire last year, The Lac La Biche Regional Museum has brought back their Portage La Biche Rendezvous, scheduled for this weekend.
“What we hope to achieve is a reenactment of the fur trade,” says Shirley Klyne with the museum. “David Thompson came here on October 4th of 1798 and at that time he came a fur trader. We want to use the big canoes – which is what the voyageurs in those days used – and paddle from the Mission historical site through to Lac La Biche, then do a charge to the beach.”
After the charge of McArthur Beach is done on Saturday, a lunch of bannock and stew will be available. Later in the day will feature events such as Tug of War and a Bannock Cook-off as well as a barbecue and music jam.
“That was something else the voyageurs always did,” adds Klyne. “Once they got back on sure footing for a while they liked to play hard. They were very competitive among themselves.”
Canoe races are planned for Sunday morning. From noon to three that day, the Lac La Biche Antique Society will take over with a Show and Shine of vintage cars. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served as well.
A few spots are available for the canoe journey. If you’re interested call the museum at (780) 623-1727 or register online here.