Selkirk’s second annual Culture Days is back Sept. 23-25 and it really offers something for everyone.
If you like puzzles, we’re building a big one. If you like history, we’re talking about it over campfires and with actors portraying historical figures, and if your tastes lean a little more toward the future, we’re including a drone show that will have you mesmerized.
“We have a ton of fun events and activities that are centred around learning and the city’s history, and it’s all done in a fun way and it’s all free,” says Ellie Longbottom, Culture Coordinator for the City of Selkirk.
“Last year was the first time we held Culture Days and it was a success. This year we’ve added some really interesting activities that I think people are going to enjoy.”
Community campfire and drone light show
Culture Days aligns with the city’s Strategic Plan that calls for making Selkirk a vibrant community and enhancing the qualities that make the city a warm and special place.
On Friday night you’re invited to join in on a community campfire. There will be several campfire pits set up in the Rec Complex parking lot and each pit will have a special guest who will lead the group in conversation, crafts, storytelling, music and more. It’s open to all ages, and please bring a lawn chair, bug spray and blanket to make sure you’re comfortable. It gets underway at 7pm. If it rains, we’ll move to the Barn.
The city’s equipment lending program at the Kin Centre is also open Friday from 3:30-8pm.
The drone show starts at 9:30pm at the Rec Complex. It’s a mind-blowing light show in the sky, featuring 56 drones swarming and dancing, and creating shapes like a Catfish, butterfly, flowers and many other surprises.
It’s about 20 minutes long and is one of the first of its kind in Manitoba, if the the first.
It’s also eco-friendly – the entire show uses renewable energy and every part of the drones, including the batteries, can be recycled.
Giant community puzzle scavenger hunt and laser tag
On Saturday there’s a full day of drop-in events at the Kin Centre. The community puzzle and scavenger hunt will have you following clues and riddles to locate puzzle pieces scattered throughout the city. When you find one, bring it back to Kin Centre to help make the giant puzzle. There will be 49 puzzle pieces in total and when completed the puzzle will reveal a special Selkirk landmark.
Show off your artistic side at the sidewalk chalk competition, with categories for people of all ages. It’s free and chalk will be provided. A winner will be chosen in each age group and will receive a $50 Biz Bucks gift card.
Mobile Laser Tag takes place at the Kin Centre from 1-3pm and Come & Create: Your Community runs from 11am to 1 pm. Join staff member Sarah to reflect on your favourite places in Selkirk and create artwork based on them. Perfect for kids aged 6-13.
The equipment lending program is open from 10am to 7pm on Saturday.
Selkirk Comes Alive
Live actors highlight Selkirk Comes Alive on Saturday, help at various locations from 10am to 4pm.
This year, Robert Smith, Chuck Norquay will be portrayed by actors and author Mary Shumilak will talk about her book The Soul’s Journey, which details her family, the Grabowski family, who moved from Poland to Selkirk in the 1950s.
Her parents, Piotr (Peter) and Wladyslawa (Gladys) were both prisoners of war who abandoned their dream of returning to Poland so that their children would have a better life in Selkirk.
“Mary is from Saskatchewan and she’s coming to Selkirk to do a presentation about her family which is pretty cool,” Longbottom said.
The Barn and the Selkirk Fire Department will also be featured in Selkirk Comes Alive.
Passports to the event are free and are available at the Civic Office and the Gaynor Family Regional Library soon. Please call 204-785-4900 to check availability before heading out to get yours.
On Sunday, we close out the weekend with more drop in events at the Kin Centre from 1 to 7pm. The giant puzzle scavenger hunt will continue if it hasn’t been completed by then, and there’ll be rock painting from 1-3pm and more equipment lending.
There will also be a free public skate at the Rec Complex from 3-5pm.
