THINGS TO DO AT FORT CHAMBLY
Spot the anachronism: A narrow corridor on the second floor of the fort walks visitors through a typical day for soldiers at work. But can you find the problems? Soldiers didn’t have shiny watches, or cans of beans, but they did have lice combs. A showcase of Joseph-Octave Dion’s vision includes historical images, stories from people who have a deep connection to the fort, and the mysterious bottle the first curator bricked into a wall.
The Xplorers program is running at all Parks Canada sites. Kids pick up a bingo-card-like scavenger list, and get a prize when they complete the tour. Each site awards a different medal, making collecting even more fun.
And more: Other daily activities include demos of uniforms worn by soldiers of the day, an explanation of why the fort was designed the way it was, and rifle demonstrations. As well, Parks Canada is running a BioBlitz program (bit.ly/2smUGNk) to inventory the animal, insect and plant life surrounding its historical sites. The Chambly Canal and Locks 1-2-3 are nearby historical sites. Bring a picnic lunch or grab an ice cream and explore the parks on foot.
July 1: Family activities to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. July 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
Family picnic and I Love My Fort events. Joseph-Octave Dion lived in the fort until his death in 1916. Other curators stepped up, and Parks Canada would take over by the early 1920s, eventually completing the repairs and reopening the site to the public in the ’80s. Inspired by Dion’s message in a bottle, the fort is collecting visitors’ stories during the July 8 festivities and stories posted with the hashtag #jaimemonfort. The stories will become part of an exhibit inside the fort. Aug. 19 and 20: St. Louis Day, Artistes sur le Champ symposium. Cannon fire, crafting and cuisine. Enjoy two days of family activities while checking out the work of local artisans, plus music, food trucks and other fun things. Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Harvest Celebration, Journées de la culture. “Soldiers were contracted for six years,” animator Philippe Gougeon says. “So after their six years, you have two choices: you stay in the army for another six years, or you have your land. Some of them could go back to France, but most of them chose to stay, have some land, have a family.” Chambly celebrates its fertile soil with a festival in collaboration with the Journées de la culture. It’s one of the last chances to see the Flavours of New France exhibit.