Village News

What a mild winter we are having! I hope you can get out into it, as that is the best way to thrive during this time of year. I have some good news for you. After years of dreaming, planning and a couple attempts, Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) is finally becoming a true year-round museum. Recently we were approved for Travel Manitoba’s “Tourism Innovation and Recovery Fund” as well as the federal “Tourism Relief Fund” that helps tourist destinations outside of major cities develop their ‘shoulder-season’ attraction.

From the Tourism Relief Fund website: “With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $485 million in regional priorities funding administered by Canada’s regional development agencies…, this fund will position Canada as a destination of choice as domestic and international travel rebounds by empowering tourism businesses to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors; and helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by providing the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world.”

As darkness descends each winter, MHV will sparkle with lights all along the street and into the woods. There will be a skating rink (including curling) and skating trail, a snowshoe trail, kicksled rentals, horse-drawn sleigh rides and more. Come visit us this month and tell your friends about it. We hope this will also bring more international tourists to our region to enjoy what winter in Manitoba has to offer.

While there are other attractions in the province that have winter light shows, the MHV Winter Village will provide a very special back-drop for it. As a homesteader village it is a great place to host traditional Canadian winter activities such as snowshoeing, skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides at the same time. The strength of this project is its ability to easily blend culture, tourism and winter activity into one safe and special site. Our 40 acres contain over 30 historic buildings and monuments (including Canada’s only operational windmill), two galleries, woods, and a tranquil pond.

“Winter in the Village” is a fantastic event for all ages. For active youngster who want to race around with our kicksleds and snowshoes, for young couples who want to have a unique date by skating in the village, to those who simply want to stroll by the lights and then find a good book in our gift shop to read later, MHV now has something for everyone this winter. We also have two new exhibits. For more information check out our website at mhv.ca.