Morning commutes weren’t always as easy as hopping into a vehicle, and visitors to Lower Fort Garry’s Transpo Expo will get to explore how people travelled since the late 1800s.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Friends of Lower Fort Garry (FoLFG), will transport guests back in time to see, experience and learn about early-day transportation methods — from ox carts and canoes to cars and commuter buses.
“This year — based off participant feedback — we are really excited to call this a true Transpo Expo by shifting our focus to create learning opportunities about the history of transportation in western Canada, specifically in Manitoba,” said Ben Gillies, FoLFG vice-president.
This is the third year for the expo and the biggest yet, featuring interactive presentations, historic displays and children’s activities, before capping off the day with a parade around the fort at 3:30 p.m.
“Without transportation, a lot of things that helped us grow in the past couldn’t have happened,” Gillies said. “We think it is a really important part of our history and the Transpo Expo is such a neat way to celebrate it.”
The expo is special to Lower Fort Garry, which was home to the Motor Country Club from 1913 to 1962. Many cars similar to those once found at the club will be on display during the day with the All-British Car Show.
This year, the Manitoba Transit Heritage Association — an organization devoted to sharing the history of buses and public transit — will have three historic buses on display, including one from 1937, the oldest in its fleet. This bus impacted the lives of many former Selkirk residents as the first commuter bus chartered to and from Winnipeg and Selkirk. It passed by Lower Fort Garry daily and even came near the property, as a service road once ran next to the fort.
“We think it is so exciting that we are able to bring that piece of history back to the site for one day,” Gillies said. “People will be able to see and board the buses, giving them a true insight into what people used to take before personal vehicles took over.”
Manitoba Public Insurance will also have historic bicycles on display.
In addition, Armand Jerome, a Métis Red River cart builder, will be demonstrating how to build a cart from 12 to 3 p.m. Jerome has built more than 60 carts in his lifetime and taken them on trail rides through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As part of Parks Canada’s Knowledge Sharing Series, he will share the history of the carts, explain how they are made and reminisce about his carting adventures.
Mark Blieske, an expert birch-bark canoe and paddle maker, will also be sharing his talents all day. With more than 10,000 hours of canoe and paddle-making experience, he has mentored more than 3,000 Canadian students on how to make paddles of their own. On Saturday, he will demonstrate how to make canoes and paddles from start to finish, much like the Indigenous Peoples did early on.
Younger history fans can take part in the Ultimate Voyageur Obstacle Course — a kid-friendly event to show how people moved around in the past. There will be a variety of kid-sized transportation modes, including small ox carts with fur bales to pull and tumplines (a leather strap used for carrying loads with the head).
All Transpo Expo activities — including regular Lower Fort Garry programs and building access — are free to attend and included with the Canada Strong Pass. The restaurant and gift shop, located in the reception building, will also be open with food, beverages and souvenirs for purchase.
“All that to say, we hope it will be a fun day out at Lower Fort Garry, made all the better because the site is free for this season,” Gillies said.
