14

Pie Eating Contest
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

15

Pie Eating Contest
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

16

Snow Sculpture
Circa 1978
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

17

Snow Sculpturing

Snow Sculpturing has been a popular activity for local residents at Festival time for a number of years. In many years a theme was provided to participants for the snow sculptures that were designed and created for competition. These artistic creations were displayed on the properties of many private homes and businesses around town and became a significant aspect of the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival. The sculptures added to the spirit and atmosphere of our winter festival. Each year a snow box is available from the Trappers' Festival Board, used to create a large block of consolidated snow ready for carving. Sculptures were judged on thematic approach, degree of effort put into the sculpture, the setting or backdrop, and the general appeal of the finished product.

18

Fur Queens Arrested by Keystone Kops
circa 1965
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Opasquia Times

19

Arts and Crafts Show
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

20

Arts and Crafts Show

Starting in the late 1960's, the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival began to branch out into different directions. Many new events were planned around the family and visitors to town. The popular Arts and Crafts Show began in the mid 1970's. The usual venue was the Mary Duncan School Auditorium and Music Room. Artisans and crafters displayed many forms of arts and crafts along with a children's show and various crafting demonstrations. Demonstrations have included quilting, pottery, carding and spinning of raw wool, weaving on frame looms and large floor looms, macramé, and decoupage.

During the Festival's 30th Anniversary, the first Northern Juried Art Show was held in conjunction with the Arts and Crafts Show. An entry stipulation was that the artists and crafters had to reside north of the 53° parallel. The jurors were Mary Elizabeth Bayer, Assistant Deputy Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Al Hammer, Director of the School of Art of the University of Manitoba, and William Kirby, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

21

Arts and Crafts Show
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

22

Broomball Game
circa 1965
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Opasquia Times

23

One benefit of the Arts and Crafts Show is that it provides a venue for families to participate in an event that is indoors, away from the elements. Visitors have the opportunity to see the marvelous artwork and crafts on display and to purchase some of these beautiful, hand-crafted items. Over the years the variety of crafts has evolved but generally consists of sewing, quilting, baked goods, and visual arts.

The funds raised at the arts and crafts shows contribute to the operation of the sled dog races.

24

Jigging Competition
circa 1965
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Opasquia Times

25

Fish Eating Contest
circa 1960
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Opasquia Times

26

Best Festival Dress
circa 1991
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Opasquia Times

27

Trappers' Festival Float
Circa 1949
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Jim Brown