Rural Saskatchewan Heart Beat: Saskatchewan Tourism Week
Gilles Laberge
Saskatchewan Tourism Week and Tourism Week in Canada runs May 27th to June 2nd, 2018. There are many interesting rural attractions to see across our amazing province. Here are just a few of the coolest tourist destinations around the province that you might choose to visit sometime this summer.
Ardill
Ardill Hotel got Liquor Licence #1 in Saskatchewan in the 1960's and is still open to this day. Ardill used to be a thriving little town; but when CN ripped up it's tracks the people left for greener pastures. it's population now is just 1. But the bar remains intact. Stop in for cocktails, a game of pool or shuffleboard and a bite to eat.
Assiniboia
Shurniak Art Gallery opened at 122 - 3rd Avenue West in 2005. Home to the private collection of Bill Shurniak, the Shurniak Art Gallery also features rotating exhibitions and emerging artists. It's seven gallery rooms are named after villages in the area (some of which are now nothing more than ghost towns). The gallery also houses international art works from across Europe all the way to Southeast Asia. Fresh Start (Restaurant) is located in the Shurniak Art Gallery; it serves fresh lunches and homemade baking.
Cruz-In Diner & Drive Thru opened at 330 - 1st Avenue East in March 2017 with a 1950's-1960's restaurant design, theme and menu. Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups, Snacks and Banana Splits; Cruz-In will even bag a lunch for you to pick up on your way to work.
Cudworth
Wheatland Express Excursion Train runs between Cudworth and Wakaw. It's Central Saskatchewan's premier event passenger train. Go sight-seeing in style; with live entertainment, food and drinks. The train highlights Sask artists and perfomers as well as Sask-themed meals. It's the perfect Sask experience. It will officially be open on June 2nd, 2018 with Theme Nights, Dinners and Summer Prairie View and Harvest Dinners, Wine Tasting and Murder Mysteries. Train will leave from Cudworth, Travel to Wakaw and then back again, making the trip in 2 hours long.
Indian Head
The Bell Barn - the Original Bell Barn was built in 1882. What remained of the old barn was dismantled in 2008 and reconstruction began in the fall of that year, continuing on into 2009. The restored Bell Barn officially reopened in 2010. Originally, it was a corporate farm called the Qu'Appelle Valley Farming Company; an experiment supported by John A. MacDonald himself. Eventually re-brandished, The Bell Farm, after it's General Manager, William R. Bell. Now the building holds barn dances, car shows, flea markets, art shows and all sorts of other exciting events.
Indian Head Curling Club Indian Head has quite a curling history. People have been throwing stones their since 1887. The original Curling Club was formed the following year and celebrated it's 130th Anniversary in 2018. The curling rink is currently located at 606 Eden Street. It wasn't until 1961 that the club held its first bonspiel on artificial ice. The Club is still going strong; leagues are hosted, bonspiels are held regularly; you can even book the ice for birthday parties and other such get-togethers. They now even host poker tournaments.
Indian Head Grand Theatre - Located at 631 Grand Avenue, this community owned and operated theatre was built in 1904. Originally, it was an Opera House called the Nite Hawk Theatre, it was the first of it's kind between Winnipeg and Vancouver. The Opera ended in the 1930's and it adapted by making the transition into a Movie Theatre. Indian Head Theatre and Community Arts Inc. took possession of the theatre in February 2014 and reopened it on March 28th, 2014. The group sees it as so much more than just a movie theatre. It's a creative arts centre and a cultural centre that is a home for dances, live theatre, conferences and lectures as well.
Maple Creek
Geoff and Connie Phillips opened The Art House at 110 Sidney Street in 2017. The Art House has a studio, a gallery and classrooms, where Geoff and Connie can explore and nurture inner creativity, inspire visitors and expose students to expression and knowledge. It's more than just a small town art gallery; they host youth art camps, splatter parties, birthday parties and paint nights
Ogema
Deep South Pioneer Museum was established in 1977 and officially opened in July 1980. Ralph, the 12 foot long Grasshopper, was built in 1989. The museum is the largest community owned museum in western Canada. Ten acres, filled with pioneer artifacts, architecture and vintage farm machinery. The museum was built to preserve a heritage many in the area felt was slipping away; it was a dream location where the mementoes of forefathers could be housed.
Archie Shaver opened the Jean Shaver Art Gallery at Deep South Pioneer Museum, in 2016 to honour the work of his mother. The Gallery houses her oil paintings and clay sculptures.
Thomson Lake Swimming Pool
Rouleau
Rouleau is the home of "Corner Gas", the highly popular prairie themed TV Show and "Corner Gas: The Movie". Although, much of the original remnants of the show are now gone; the town itself is still rife with show memorabilia. Dog River is still scrawled on the grain elevator and the bar in town is still called the Dog River Hotel. A Walking & Interactive Digital Tour of Dog River was launched on July 5th, 2017.
The 4th Annual Dog River Dash is taking place in Rouleau on Saturday, June 2nd from 8:45 am to 12 Noon.
Thomson Lake Regional Park
Thomson Lake Regional Park is located between the towns of Lafleche and Gravelbourg. The park is named after L.B. Thomson, who saw an oasis on the prairie in a place where most others just saw an irrigation project. It became Saskatchewan's first regional park when it opened in 1961 and has changed considerably since then. Now they have seasonal camp sites, a swimming pool, an 18-Hole golf course, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, a bike trail, miniature golf and kayak rentals.
Weyburn
Soo Line Historical Museum - Located at 411 Industrial Drive; the Soo Line Historical Museum is home to the world's largest private silver collection. The collection of Charles Wilson; over 5,000 items in total. The museum was founded in 1960 and now houses the Weyburn and District archives
Turner Curling Museum - Located at 327 Mergens Street, the Turner Curling Museum is the world's first curling museum and houses, amongst other items of curling legend, over 18,000 curling pins.
Of course, Weyburn is also home to the notorious Kentucky Fried Chicken Buffet.
Wolseley
St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church was built in 1900 and was the first Roman Catholic Church in Saskatchewan built of brick. The church is still standing and still being used for mass.
Wolseley lays claim to a few other interesting tourism tidbits. The Beaver Lumber Company was established in Wolseley in 1906, and the first store began a museum. The Twilite Drive-In Theatre is also situated in Wolseley, just along Highway #1. It was built in 1954 as the First Drive-In Theatre in Saskatchewan. This summer you can catch Infinity War, Indian Horse, Deadpool 2 and Ocean's 8 there.
Wood Mountain
Wood Mountain Stampede began in 1890 and celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2014. 128 years old now, it is Canada's oldest continuous rodeo. Coming up July 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2018. Check out the CCR Rodeo, Team Roping events, Ranch Rodeo, Little Britches Rodeo and the classic cabaret. The Wood Mountain Stampede offers a full slate of rodeo action.