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Social Events

The Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival (NMTF) has always provided a wonderful opportunity for people to socialize and take part in the various competitions and celebrations. The World Championship Sled Dog Race consistantly attracts a huge number of visitors to the community. The King and Queen Trapper events have provided competitors with a chance to show the world the skills they have mastered to survive and make a living in the bush. However, the Festival was not only about these competitions - there have always been a number of events focused on socializing and enjoying a midwinter break.

Since the inception of the NMTF, there have often been dances - called a 'rendezvous' in the fur trade tradition - for the general public during the Festival. All the major halls around town would host a rendezvous on one or more nights. Revellers could dance to live music, consume refreshments, and have a wonderful time socializing and 'cutting the rug'! This was especially welcome in years gone by when many trappers had spent much of the winter alone in the bush.

For many years the Festival hosted a Stage Show as well. Shows would feature both local and professional talent. Over the years, Festival audiences have been entertained by celebrities including Charlie Pride, Stan Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, and many others. Local performers have included the Three D's, DM Chorus and Theatre 53. With a variety of entertainment talent, the Stage Show was always a big draw for locals and visitors alike.

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Fancy Dress Contest
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

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A variety of novelty events have been included in the festivities over the years. In the Liars Contest, it paid to deviate from the truth with the most entertaining 'tall tale'. Other fun competitions have included the heaviest couple contest, the ice worm search, the biggest beer belly competition, beard growing contests, and the ugliest truck and dog contest. The Festival Beer Fests have always been very popular.

Early in the Festival's history, street dances were held. Edwards Avenue was closed from the corner of the Royal Bank to the old Town Center Hotel and locals and visitors alike danced to fiddle music.

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Trapper's Festival Street Dance
Circa 1948
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection

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Lausunu
circa 1951
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
Opasquia Times

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The Novelty Events, organized by The Pas Lions Club, were fun to participate in or to watch. Oftentimes the events were variations on the more serious festival contests, open to anyone with a sense of fun and challenge. In 1984, spectators saw the return of the Giant Snowshoe Race, which consisted of three people on a pair of six-meter (20 foot) snowshoes, a tug of war, and a four legged people race using three people tied together. These events took place on Edwards Avenue at noon daily.

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Giant Snowshoe Race
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

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Tug of War
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

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Giant Snowshoe Race
Circa 1978
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

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

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

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Cordwood Bonspiel

The first Cordwood Bonspiel was introduced at the 1980 Trappers' Festival. This event was opened to children in elementary and middle years school. Co-ed teams of four curlers competed on sheets of ice drawn on the skating surface of the Roy H. Johnston Arena. In place of standard curling rocks, the curlers used 'rocks' made out of short birch logs with a bent piece of re-bar for a handle. The elementary curlers played four ends while the middle years students competed for six ends. Prizes and certificates were given to all of the winners.

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Young Spectators at Festival Grounds
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society

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Mini-Trappers' Festivals

Since 1980 the local school division has hosted mini Trappers' Festival competitions to encourage participation from community children. Students get the chance to learn the culture and hone their skills by competing in scaled-down variations of the King and Queen Trapper competition events.

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Pie Eating Contest
Circa 1980
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sam Waller Museum Collection
The Pas Historical Society