If a crowded park is not your idea of the best way to celebrate Canada's 149th birthday Friday, perhaps a visit back to simpler times at Huble Homestead might be the way to go.
Dominion Day activities go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic site that's about 40 km north of Prince George.
There will be sack races and three-legged races, maybe an egg toss or an egg-in-spoon race to test your mettle. There could even be wheelbarrow races and 100 yard dashes.
There are eating contests geared for children and grown ups, plus watermelon for the kids.
"All the pink right down to the rind - no cheating," laughed Krystal Leason, operations manager at Huble Homestead. "Adults will be racing to eat corn on the cob, which is always really fun to watch."
The games will be going three times throughout the day and the eating contests twice.
"It's a really great way for the whole family to get involved in the event," said Leason.
There's something new at Huble Homestead's Dominion Day celebration this year.
"Canada is celebrating 100 years of women's suffrage," said Leason. "Women in Manitoba got the right to vote in their provincial elections in 1916 and that opened the doors for women in other parts of the country to also get the vote, which is extremely important."
Huble is celebrating with a suffragette photo booth that prints out the images instantly.
"So we have some signs that say "Votes for Women" and we have some hats and sashes and we also have men's hats as well and so everyone can get involved in protesting for women's right to vote."
There is also a new exhibit in the Welcome Barn about the history of women's suffrage in Canada so people can learn a little bit more about how women got the vote, added Leason.
The Union Jack flag cake decorated with berries and two other cakes will be shared with guests throughout the day at Huble Homestead.
"We have a festive pancake breakfast where the pancakes cost as much as the country is old but since we don't have pennies anymore it will be $1.50 for pancakes this year," said Leason.
The barbecue lunch starts at noon and there are other food demonstrations like butter making and ice cream making throughout the day.
"We're looking forward to a nice day at the homestead," said Leason. "We really love Dominon Day. It's always really fun."
The Huble Homestead Historic Site is located 40 km north of Prince George. Travel north on Highway 97 and turn right on Mitchell Road, which is a 6 km well-maintained gravel road suitable for family vehicles, RVs, and buses.
Next events include Kids Carnival Day, Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Christmas in July Sunday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is by suggested donation of $10 per family, $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
