establish the first Métis communities ; eventually these pioneers were joined by missionaries , businessmen , doctors and more — many of them from what was then called Lower Canada . The annual Calgary Maple Festival des Sucres celebrates these Francophone roots . The event at Heritage Park features all manner of traditional family fun , including live music and folk dancing , Métis fingerweaving , a lumberjack show , historical exhibitions and , true to the festival ’ s name , lots of maple syrupy treats . March 4 & 5 calgarymaplefest-eng . com
OutdOOrs
Maple taffy : a sweet delight for a fun family affair or an intimate evening of courtship . Warm your hands at the fire pit pre- or postride , then tuck in for a more modern comfort : fine dining at the on-site Westlake Grill . Or schedule a Sunday outing to take advantage of the sizable brunch menu . heritageranch . ca
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Nostalgic Glow Paris and Las Vegas aren ’ t the only cities of lights : Edmonton also has a history of being lit — by neon signs . Dozens of them illuminated downtown during neon ’ s mid-20th-century heyday .
Though many of the signs were eventually taken down , some are now enjoying a second life as part of Edmonton ’ s Neon Sign Museum . Last year , 11 new gas-filled lights were added to the colourful outdoor collection , including a spiffy circa-1950s W . C . Kay Jewelers sign that had never actually been lit , and “ the old lady in the rocking chair ” from the now-closed Hayden ’ s furniture store . Almost 20 restored signs glow on the side of the Telus building at 104 Street and 104 Avenue plus the historic Mercer Building directly across the street .
Installing the latest artifacts at the Neon Sign Museum
Taffy : Marie-HÉlÈne Bilodeau / Calgary Maple fesTival ; signs : edMonTon neon sign MuseuM
Quality Casting time Family Day weekend offers an excellent chance to spend quality time on a frozen lake , waiting for that fateful tug on your line . For three days in February , anglers don ’ t need an Alberta Sportfishing Licence to land the likes of arctic grayling , bull trout or northern pike . Or maybe you ’ ll hook a lake sturgeon , which is one of the most ancient ( and largest ) of freshwater fish species . Want to fish but don ’ t know how ? Register for a Kids Can Catch event on February 18 at Wabamun Lake . Feb . 18-20 AlbertaKidsCanCatch . ca
Old-time ride Experience the charms of a bygone era at Red Deer ’ s Heritage Ranch . While snow remains , a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the ranch ’ s woodlands is perfect
COMING THIS SPRING
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