Fort Whoop Up features black powder and cannon demonstrations on Sunday

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If you want to get a feel for the wild west that  Lethbridge once was, Fort Whoop Up has plenty of excitement this Sunday.

Fort Whoop Up interpreter Keiran Swayn and Graham Ruttan give a rope making demonstration at Fort Whoop Up. Photo by Richard Amery
Lethbridge has a fascinating history of buffalo robe trading/ whiskey trading and the formation of the Northwest Mounted Police in order to stop it. The Fort features a variety of interactive displays in which you can get a feel for how people lived in the 1860s and 70s.


In addition to the special events on Thursdays, Fort Whoop Up is open seven days a week until Sept. 2 with a variety of activities happening including rope making, wagon rides, Buffalo chip tossing, a mini horse petting zoo, candle dipping, live blacksmithing demonstrations and bannock making over the fire.


As s special bonus, this weekend, Sunday, July 22, Fort Whoop Up brings back the Fort Whoop Up  Black Powder Club and South Alberta Horse Artillery who bring a replica cannon similar to the cannon at the actual Fort Whoop up in the 1800s, for a demonstration of 1860s era weapons.

The Black Powder Club  will be demonstrating their skills at 1,2, and 3 p.m. while the Southern Alberta Horse Artillery will be  performing at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
“ We went to the city to apply for the permits to do it and couldn‘t believe how much work it was,” Ruttan said, adding they’d like to have the clubs participating throughout the next season as well.

“We’re also planning a big event for Heritage Day. There will be fun for the whole family,” he said.
Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for youth and post secondary students.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
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