Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village going to get busier
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village is a pioneer village in the heart of Pincher Creek and is situated along the creek that runs through the downtown core. It is about to get even busier than normal.
The Village also has several seasonal events throughout the year beginning with a celebration at Halloween.
“Last year was our first 'Halloween in the Village,” notes Laura Korbett, the Museum Administrator for Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. “We had businesses decorate and hand out candy from our buildings in the Museum Village for school and community kids to 'trick or treat' at. We also had a Haunted Barn and pumpkin decorating craft sponsored by The Family Center. It was a big hit so this year we are offering the same event the day of Halloween, but also adding more to it.”
Korbett says that this year's Halloween celebrations will include Matthew Halton High School sponsoring haunted houses in the Village as part of their 'experiential learning' week.
The haunted houses, which include a version for younger kids and a scary version for older kids, will be open to the public. The Village will also have an evening Halloween 'Spookytown After Dark' gala for adults on the weekend before Halloween with the second 'Halloween in the Village' being held on Halloween Day.
Korbett says Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, will then hold their fourth annual 'Meet the Authors' Book Signing event on Friday, Nov. 30 and will feature local and Southern Alberta authors.
Last year's event featured 20 authors, as well as a few musicians, and the event takes place in conjunction with Pincher Creek's Countdown to Christmas parade and evening shopping day. The Parade of Lights event is also on Nov. 30 and is an evening event hosted by the Pincher Creek Chamber of Commerce on Main Street in conjunction with the local businesses' late night shopping event.
“Our events are planned by the staff and volunteers at the Village with input and help from our board, The Pincher Creek and District Historical Society,” Korbett says. “We encourage and invite other community organizations to sponsor activities at our events as well. We are a non-profit museum so we rely heavily on volunteer help, especially at the events themselves. Some of our events/programs do get some financial aid from such groups as the Lethbridge Foundation and Government of Canada grants.”
The biggest event for Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, Korbett explains, is Canada Day. Generally there is well over 1,000 people who celebrate, while other events get anywhere from 80 to 400 people. Overall, Korbett says, the Village's events are all very well attended.
“We have 27 authentic heritage buildings full of approximately. 30,000 artifacts on 6 acres of beautiful gardens and community gardens,” Korbett said. “Most of our artifacts and buildings have a local area connection/story to them. We house the official historical archives collection for Pincher Creek and area. We are also the accredited Visitor Information Center for Pincher Creek and MD. We also have The Country Store, which showcases local artisans, a great selection of books written by local area authors and about the history and the area, CDs of local music talent, and great country and vintage-themed home decor.”
Korbett says that the daily admission to the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for Youth 17 and under; and free for children under 7. The Village also sells annual or lifetime memberships that start at only $25 and give unlimited general admission and discounts on select items in the Country Store.
Visitors to the village can tour through the Pioneer Village, attend the many events, attend special school and youth programs, use the archives to find out information about the history of the area and historic families, get information about the area and upcoming events and shop in The Country Store.
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, Korbett adds, also rents out their grounds and buildings for events including meetings, weddings, photo shoots, and family reunions.
The Village also offers catering services, and rents out tents, tables and chairs. There are also beautiful gardens, including a heritage rose garden, and community gardens and a licensed deck area for visitors to enjoy.
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village offers free admission to the events and ensures that they are family friendly so the community at large can enjoy them.
The Village also often has other community organizations and businesses sponsoring activities at many of their events so they can offer a broad range of activities.
“These events are growing each year and getting better with new ideas incorporated,” Korbett said. “We appreciate the help and support we get from the community and like to give back. The Village is an amazing facility in the town of Pincher Creek and it is great to see it getting used and enjoyed by all ages while also exposing them to the area's history. There is such a sense of community when we are able to have other community organizations, individuals and businesses help us put on some of our events and promote each other. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face and looks forward to coming back.”