So long, summer Make the most of the last long weekend of the season By: Gillian Brown Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/08/2019 (1850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Summer is on its last legs.

Labour Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the season, but it’s not ending quietly.

If you’re still looking for things to do that will give those at the lake a run for their money, here are 15 events, activities and adventures happening in and around Winnipeg this weekend for you, your friends and your family to enjoy.

St-Bonifest Music Festival

End this summer’s festival season with a bang when the family-friendly festival takes over Coronation Park on Aug. 31 from noon to 10 p.m.

The event features local musicians, games, a vendors market and lemonade and snacks from Cafe Postal and Willie’s Dogs.

Oak Hammock Marsh

Get your hands dirty at the marsh this weekend at a variety of events to entertain and educate while preparing for the arrival of the geese. There are guided canoe adventures ($3 for members and $6 for non-members), or the opportunity to rent your own canoe for $15 so you can lead your own exploration.

There will be guided marsh walks, along with face painting, games and crafts and critter dipping.

Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children with a family pack available for $28 that includes two adults and four children.

Prairie Dog Central Railway

All aboard for a different program every day on the steam locomotive at Prairie Dog Central Railway, where the whole family can get involved in interactive stories and educational tours. The hog heist adventure on Aug. 31 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. is an old-fashioned sing-along that gets held up by a group of bandits on horseback.

Sunday, Sept. 1, is planes, trains and automobiles day, which includes a stop at Grosse Isle to check out some vintage vehicles. The train departs at 11 a.m. and returns at 2:45 p.m.

Monday is billed as Lazy Labour Day, a chance to sit back and enjoy the ride to Grosse Isle, where the train will stop and visitors will have the chance to explore the community’s heritage buildings.

Tickets range from $30.95 to $43.95 for adults and $23.95 to $35.95 for children, depending on the outing.

Assiniboia Downs

Along with the horse races starting at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, there will be plenty of activities for kids of all ages to engage in. Pony rides, petting zoos, bouncy castles and face painting are just a few attractions the Downs has in store for Family Fun Day.

Of course, you can bet on the ponies throughout the day, followed by “Crazy Hour,” with alcohol and appetizers on special.

The Forks

The vibrant historic site and cultural hub will be alive all weekend, but there are some special events happening.

The Winnipeg Urban Fishing Derby is taking place on Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., both youth and adult fishers can try and catch one of the big prizes. No licence is required, but competitors will need to provide their own equipment and bait. Registration is free, and starts at 9 a.m.

That same day is the Drop the Needle, Pick up the Pace 5K walk in honour of International Overdose day, from 6 to 9 p.m. A fundraising raffle will also be held.

On Sept. 2, the Founding Nations Powwow will be celebrating the diverse Indigenous community in Canada at the Oodena Celebration Circle through drumming, storytelling, dancing, singing, and more.

All Mopar Car Show

Rev up with the Labour Day car show at Gauthier Chrysler from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spectators can view the largest array of both classic and modern vehicles in Manitoba.

Registration is free for Mopar owners who want to show off their cars. There will also be prize draws, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction.

Downtown Winnipeg Night Market

All in one spot, see what Winnipeg’s all about. Several popular businesses from around downtown, such Bison Books and Coal and Canary candles, will be congregating at Manitoba Hydro Plaza on Aug. 30. From 5 to 11 p.m., walk through the farmers’ markets and vendors inside the plaza, enjoy the wine and beer gardens at Rudy’s patio, and see performers on the streets.

Pop-up attractions all around the area will draw your attention, such as Edmonton Street’s transformation into an “Instagram Alley” for photo ops (perfect for making your friends at the lake jealous).

The dynamic location is also home to many restaurants where you can satisfy any late-night craving.

Stolie: I Get Around Tour

Find your new favourite artist in Stolie, a Chicago-based musician who tours from Mexico to Canada every year. Making her Winnipeg debut on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. for a free performance at the Riverside Inn (above the Limelight karaoke bar) at 531 St. Mary’s Rd. , the multi-instrumental, loop-pedal artist will be performing both originals and covers, and you get to choose what she sings!

Stolie passes around a book of songs she knows and you can decide which of your favourites you’d like to hear. (Neil Young is already on the list.)

Winnipeg Goldeyes vs. Sioux Falls Canaries

See who’s on first when you head to Shaw Park for one (or more) of the series games against the Sioux Falls Canaries. The first pitch is at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30, 6 p.m. on Aug. 31, and 1 p.m. on Sept. 1 and 2.

If there’s one game to go to, it’s zombie night on Aug. 31. The players will be wearing zombie-themed jerseys, and there will be fireworks after the game. Tickets range from $14 to $26.

Food Trip Fest and Fair

Eat your way around the world at Tyndall Park Community Centre from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1. Celebrating Winnipeg’s diversity through food, the food trucks and stalls, amusement park, farmers market and beer garden will be available from noon to 9 p.m. with free admission.

Carts Photo Exhibition

Marco Muller’s photography series at the Forks Skate Park, inspired by the sociopolitical issues facing Indigenous people, showcases the art and complexity of abandoned shopping carts.

On Sept. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., walk through the photos, and see a mural by international street artist Wane One at 109 Higgins Ave. Admission is free.

MSRA Toy Run

This is a car show with a cause. The Manitoba Street Rod Association’s 27th Annual Toy Run is taking place on Sept 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Revenue Canada Taxation Parking Lot.

Admission is a new, unwrapped toy, which will go to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.

Wall-to-Wall Mural and Cultural Festival

See the city itself transformed into a massive art exhibit beginning Sept. 1. The Wall-to-Wall Mural and Cultural Festival establishes murals and street art indoors and outdoors in places such as West Broadway, the West End, The Forks, and Downtown Winnipeg.

The interactive festival, complete with workshops and public participation, is half art exhibit, half music festival featuring local artists and musicians.

Corydon Avenue Concert Series

This is the last weekend to dance the night away at the Corydon Avenue Concert Series. Every weekend, the series hosts musicians on streets off Corydon from 7 to 10 p.m.

Aug. 30, the band Rock the House plays on Lilac Street, while Aug. 31 features Aces, a blues and Latin group at Cockburn Street S.

While you listen, Jon Ljungberg, an acclaimed caricature artist who’s worked for Mad Magazine and Hanna Barbera, will be available to draw you and your friends.

Caravan at the Cube

Anything goes at the Cube’s open-mic night on Sept. 2 in Old Market Square.

At the event hosted by Mason Kanne, a Winnipeg-based performer, anyone has the opportunity to sign up and perform music, spoken word, comedy, magic, dance, or anything else they want to showcase.

Come as a spectator or as a performer. Sign up starts at 6:30 p.m., and the performances run from 7 to 10:30 p.m.