By Matt Kelly

Fun-filled Fort Fest this weekend

Jul 13, 2016 | 3:08 PM

The history of the Battlefords will take centre stage during the third annual Fort Fest this weekend.

Fort Fest takes over Fort Battleford from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 16. Acting Visitor Experience Manger Tammy Conley-Blais said numerous activities are scheduled for the day including old-fashioned games, archery demonstrations and a petting zoo.

One activity Conley-Blais feels will be interesting is a telegraph demonstration. Retired telegraph operators from Saskatoon will be at the fort demonstrating the machines and even letting people tap out messages.

“We set them up so they can show you how it works, sending and receiving telegraph messages and you can actually tap out a message to see if you can figure out the Morse code yourself,” Conley-Blais explained.

The telegraphs will be set up in the captain’s quarters of Fort Battleford; one of the site’s many historical buildings Conley-Blais said will be open for visitors to learn more about its history.

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“At certain times throughout the day we’ll have all of the historic buildings open,” Conley-Blais said. “We’ll have staff and volunteers in the buildings who will be able to answer questions and help you figure out what’s going on. It’s going to be lots of fun.”

Conley-Blais added the fort a great resource to have available for the people of the Battlefords.

“I believe we’re so fortunate to have a National Historic Site right here in our community and we for sure, with Parks Canada, would like to see Fort Battleford become a gathering place in the community of the Battlefords,” Conley-Blais said.

Matt Kelly is battlefordsNOW’s town municipal affairs and community reporter. He can be reached at mkelly@jpbg.ca. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.