Motherwell Homestead Celebrates Canada 150 with the Symphony Under the Sky Festival
News Release
August 26, 2017 Abernethy, Saskatchewan Parks Canada
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, Parks Canada partnered with the Regina Symphony Orchestra to once again present the Symphony Under the Sky Festival at Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site.
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament for Regina—Wascana, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, was on hand for the festival and celebrated by “tapping the firkin” to officially launch the Motherwell Red Fife Rhubarb Witbier by Bushwakker Brewpub.
The day’s festivities included threshing demonstrations by Parks Canada staff, children’s activities, performances by Belle Plain, world-renowned hoop dancer Terrance Littletent, and Sask Express, and were capped off with a performance by the Regina Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony Under the Sky Festival marks the end of Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site’s summer visitor season and the beginning of the Regina Symphony Orchestra’s 2017-18 season.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn more about our history. The Government is creating opportunities for Canadians to participate in a year-long celebration and to help shape the best that Canada can be in the future. Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site offers a snapshot of prairie agricultural life in the early 20th century and depicts the struggles and successes of prairie settlement through the story of W.R. Motherwell, a leading figure in Canadian agriculture and politics.
As part of the centennial of national historic sites, Parks Canada invites Canadians to be inspired and captivated by the stories of the people, places, and events that shaped the Canada of today. Take advantage of the free admission to national historic sites in 2017, and discover truly Canadian places and stories with Parks Canada!
Quotes
“What better way to celebrate Canada than at a national historic site listening to some of our country’s finest musicians. The Symphony Under the Sky Festival at Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site provides a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to celebrate Canada 150 and learn more about this great place and its important role in our country’s history.”
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament for Regina—Wascana
“We are honored that Minister Ralph Goodale joined us for our annual Symphony under the Sky festival to conduct the tapping of the firkin. Minister Goodale is a strong community advocate, and we are thrilled that he took time to join us for a day of celebrating arts and culture, and the powers they have to bring communities together.”
Tanya Derksen,
Regina Symphony Orchestra Executive Director
“We are very pleased to once again be a proud partner with Parks Canada and to have the opportunity to create a special Canadian 150th anniversary commemorative brew. We worked in collaboration with Saskatchewan’s Living Sky Winery as well as Shannon Sambells, William Motherwell’s great granddaughter to create a truly Saskatchewan brew. We are excited to have the Honourable Ralph Goodale assist us in unveiling this beer by tapping a keg on the Motherwell Homestead main stage.”
Grant Frew
Bar & Marketing Manager, Bushwakker Brewpub
Quick Facts
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In the early 1900s, Saskatchewan settler, W.R. Motherwell became a community leader whose passion for scientific farming methods took him all the way to parliament as Minister of Agriculture. W.R. Motherwell’s original homestead now welcomes visitors as a national historic site of Canada and stands as an authentic snapshot of prairie farm life at the turn of the 20th century.
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Parks Canada welcomed the Regina Symphony Orchestra back to Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site for the Symphony Under the Sky Festival to open their season in style.
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The festival included the official launch of Bushwakker Brewpub’s Motherwell Homestead commemorative beer. This year’s edition, the Motherwell Red Fife Rhubarb Witbier, utilizes the historic Red Fife wheat as well as rhubarb juice from Saskatchewan’s Living Sky Winery. The commemorative bottle label depicts an original painting of the Motherwell Homestead painted by Shannon Sambells, W.R. Motherwell’s great granddaughter.
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The Government is very pleased to offer free admission for all visitors to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada in 2017 to celebrate Canada 150.
Associated Links
Contacts
Lisa Leuty
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Saskatchewan South Field Unit
306-975-6805
lisa.leuty@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca