September at the Mennonite Heritage Village is both a celebration of the wonderful summer season we have had and the launch of our amazing fall and winter programming that is yet to come! Our event calendar for September is full of fascinating events for people of all interests and all ages. Memory-making at MHV isn’t relegated to the summer months – come make some wonderful memories at MHV this fall.
Fall on the Farm – September 7
Our Fall on the Farm festival is an excellent way to get one last taste of summer while also participating in classic fall activities. We’ve got an amazing lineup of fall-themed activities including fresh corn on the cob, a seed-saving demonstration, a hog butchering demonstration and a pork auction! Alongside this, we are excited to host cultural performances and cultural food vendors in the Peter Barkman Summer Pavilion. Of course, what would an MHV event be without our classic pioneer demonstrations? It’s such an honour for us to be able to keep history alive through demonstrations and interpretation. If you’ve always wanted to see a threshing machine in action, a blacksmith working in the forge, or a printer working on a 1909 printing press, step back in time and come to the Village.
We will also be hosting our first-ever Old Tyme Parade at 12:30 pm on Monday, September 7 as a part of our Fall on the Farm programming. This parade will feature our amazing volunteers dressed up in costume, the steam engine, a team of horses, and some other fun features. The parade will run down the Main Street of the Mennonite Heritage Village. Fall on the Farm is a great way to celebrate the last weekend of summer and the start of fall, and we hope to see you there.
Pickling Workshop – September 12
Our Pioneer Workshop Series is launching again this September, and we are thrilled to have an amazing lineup of engaging workshops to offer the community. Starting this workshop series off will be our Pickling Workshop held on September 12. Think of pickling, and chances are, cucumbers are the first thing you picture! Pickling cucumbers is, of course, wonderful, but there is a big world of pickling that goes above and beyond just cucumbers! This workshop will cover the art of pickling cucumbers, but it will also discuss how to pickle a wide variety of vegetables. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to pickle, this workshop is for you. Sign up at https://mhv.ca/event/pickling-workshop/.
Exhibit Explorers: Craft & Story Hour – September 17 & 24
Exhibit Explorers is MHV’s free weekly craft & story hour for parents and their children! At 10 am on Thursday mornings, join MHV staff in the indoor gallery for Storytime, movement games, and a craft that accompanies the stories that were read. This Storytime is for any parent with their children who are looking for a place to go for Storytime or who are looking for a fun, free outing. No registration is required, and we look forward to having many parents and kids drop by.
Touch-a-Tractor – September 19
Join us for the first-ever MHV Touch-a-Tractor Family Fundraiser. Touch-a-Tractor is an interactive, family-friendly event for all ages to get up close and personal with the equipment that drives and builds our communities, now and throughout history. Visitors get to sit in the driver’s seat of unique vehicles and equipment, learn about their role in our community, and interact with the people who operate them. You’ll be able to watch unique demonstrations and explore the museum, all on one great Saturday! And best of all? All proceeds go to support the mission of MHV and of Steinbach Community Outreach. This event runs from 10 am-3 pm, and admission is $5 per person ages 6 and up.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – September 30
On September 30, enjoy free admission for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. This will be a contemplative day to reflect on our relationships with Indigenous friends and neighbours.
School Field Trips
Step back in time and experience living history this school year! For teachers out there, MHV is excited to announce that we now have school field trip programs that span the entire length of the school year. During fall, experience the work of harvest in “It’s Harvest Time” and discover what “A Pioneer School Day” was like. We also have two winter-themed school programs called “Pioneer Winter Play” and “Getting Ready for Winter” and one Christmas field trip program that will be offered in November and December called “A Pioneer Christmas”. MHV is a great place to visit with your class throughout the entire school year. For more information, call 204-326-9661 to take your students on a field trip they’ll remember!
