Cochrane: Pioneer Days at the Heritage Village

By Nora Egan
Thursday August 07, 2008

This weekend marks the annual Pioneer Days at the Heritage Village. A time when friends can gather, enjoy the facility and meet new acquaintenances. A time to reflect on the past, the people, the community and where we are today.

What can you expect to see at the Heritage Village this weekend?
Kim Murray and Paul Latondress explained some of the activities that will take place over the two days.

On Saturday August 9, 2008 the official opening of the event will begin at 10:00 a.m. from that point people will be able to view various demonstrations, listen to live music and children will be able to take part in children’s games including face painting on site. New this year will be story reading by Dawn upstairs in the barn.

“This is the 17th annual Pioneer Days and both days are filled with activities,” advised Paul and Kim. “We have something for all ages and there will also be a reptile show,” commented Kim.

But there is more.... Every year the Pioneer Days features the live demonstrations of equipment used back in the early years. From rope making demonstrations to hay press and thrashing machine. People will be able to relate to the hard work our ancestors did during the early 1900’s. Something that will open the eyes of many who were not around during those days. Imagine having to heat a piece of iron to shoe a horse. Back in the early years that’s the way it was done, fire....iron... and hitting the steel to form a horseshoe.

The antiques provided for show will be operational during the two days so why not visit the Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village this weekend. Bring the family, stay for the day and take in the activities they have planned.

The full schedule of events is inside the Cochrane Times-Post. While you are there.... visit the Polar Bears, take in the interpretive talk at the viewing building and when your done... grab a bite to eat, talk with friends and meet new ones.

The Pioneer Days is all about renewing old acquaintenances and making new ones at the Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village.

Plan on taking in the entertainment lined up or if you haven’t visited the Heritage Village, this weekend is the time to do it.

Read this at the Cochrane Times Post

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Creefest!

Ardis Proulx Chedore
Friday June 13, 2008

Creefest planning is underway in Cochrane. August 14th to 16th 2008 are the days that it will be taking place and people are beginning to stir with excitement. But many of you may be asking the question; what is Creefest anyway?

Creefest is a regional summer festival. It is the promotion of Cree Culture through various venues such as celebrating the performing and visual arts. Mainly held outdoors in the summer month of August and hosted within a local First Nation community, Creefest features contemporary and traditional music, drumming and dancing, drama, story telling, visual & fine arts and crafts by local and regional artists.

What a great event to be coming to Cochrane! Organizers are busy getting ready for the events and little is clear. But they are encouraging the community to come out and help bring this event to life. An information session is being held on June 16th 2008, 6pm, at Abitibi Projects, which is newly located at 135 3rd Street. (The old H&R block building)
The meeting will be to discuss ideas for the upcoming festival. Perhaps your organization or group would like to do something during Creefest. If so, this meeting is for you.
Highlights of the summer festival may include: traditional food preparation, fiddle and step dancing, local and regional artists and crafts, traditional and contemporary music, comedy & entertainment. If you have any experience in any of these fields, you might feel like joining the group of volunteers helping to organize this year's Creefest.
The Creefest is open to everyone to come out and enjoy. "It's a celebration of life, and just being alive. That is what the festival is truly about." said coordinator Kara Loutitt.
Mushkegowuk council in partnership with the host organization Abitibi Projects, have come together to bring this festival and all the talent to Cochrane. Be apart of it and make Cochrane the place to be in summer 2008.

Read this and other stories at the Cochrane Times Post

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