What's New and Exciting this summer at Parks Canada?

Backgrounder

Hometown Heroes Weekend at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site!

 The First World War was life-changing for the Bar U Ranch and surrounding community. Parks Canada invites you to join us in commemorating individuals from all walks of life who made unique contributions to the war effort. 

 

Hometown Heroes at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site begins with the unveiling of a new display May 21st and May 22nd honouring six men that worked southern Alberta ranches before going to the trench warfare in Europe. Bob Armstrong served a year in France and was wounded after the November Armistice, delaying his return home until the spring of 1919. Bob Carry lost a leg in France and came home to continue ranching with a wooden leg. Military Cross recipient Erland Hadow, who worked on the Bar U Ranch, never returned home. Joe Johnstone survived a gunshot wound near his heart at Vimy Ridge only to fall at Passchendaele. Art Lowe’s Military Medal for bravery was sent to his father at the Bar U Ranch. Fred Nash found time to write home in 1916 to give details of a friend’s death that were published in the local newspaper.          

As well as the new display, hear about “In Flanders Fields” author John McCrae’s wartime journey through the eyes of his horse in the new book “Bonfire, The Chestnut Gentleman” and meet author Susan Raby-Dunne on Saturday and Sunday, at 12:30 p.m. in the Bar U Theatre.  

On Saturday, Parks Canada Historian Meg Stanley will speak about the Bar U Ranch at war and the Canadian horse and agriculture during WW1 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Hometown Heroes Weekend also includes the Strathcona Mounted Troop in vintage uniform performing cavalry demonstrations from that period.  On Saturday, a historic vehicle display will feature a Sherman Tank from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Historical interpreters will tell the story of horses during the conflict and how agriculture on the home front supported the war effort.

The special Hometown Heroes Weekend kicks off the roster of special events at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site during the 2016 season.

Dates: May 21-22, 2016

Ages: All ages are welcome!

Fee Information is available on the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site website.

This is just one of many new and exciting programs Parks Canada has to offer in 2016!

For more information:  call 403-395-2212 or visit the Parks Canada website.


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