Have you ever captured your own dinner, portaged a canoe, or made your own clothes?
Fort Langley’s annual “Brigade Days”—which runs Aug. 4 to 6 offers visitors a chance to meet people who carry on the unique skills and traditions of those who lived and travelled along the Fraser River over 150 years ago.
During the three-day festival, history enthusiasts from all over British Columbia and Washington will showcase 1800s fur trade culture through demonstrations of sewing, laundry, weapons, blacksmithing, cooking, laundry and music.
New this year, visitors can collect “trading cards” from each individual they meet, similar to baseball cards, as a souvenir of their day.
Event Highlights:
ARRIVAL OF THE FUR BRIGADES RE-ENACTMENT
Gather in the fort and follow a bagpipe procession down to the Fraser River shore, where you can witness a re-enactment of “The Arrival of the Fur Brigades.”
Paddlers of a dozen canoes and a replica York boat will travel from Hope to Fort Langley where they traditionally unloaded their cargo of furs and barrels at Fort Langley’s Marina Park.
Cheer on the canoe brigades, and witness a Kwantlen welcome song.
Hear the exciting bagpipe and black powder salute. This traditional reenactment portrays the annual return of fur traders in the 1800s, who transported the year’s intake of furs from interior and northern trading posts to Fort Langley. The goods were later delivered by ship to England.
Follow the procession starting inside the fort on Monday, Aug. 6, at 12:30 p.m., or join the crowd at 1 p.m. at Marina Park.
INDIGENOUS CULTURE
Want to learn more about Canada’s Indigenous people? Here, visitors can find out about how the Kwantlen and other First Nations interacted with the Hudson’s Bay Company fort from the time it was built 190 years ago through to today.
On Monday, Aug. 6, watch as Drew Atkins, a local carver, demonstrates the carving of a wooden feast table.
Until Sept. 3, Fort Langley National Historic Site presents Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions, an original production of the Montreal Science Centre. This exhibit allows visitors to explore timeless Indigenous science through an interactive experience featuring activities like virtual canoe racing, dog sledding, and fishing.
FASHION SHOW
Enjoy a Fur Trade Era Fashion Show on Sunday, Aug. 5 at 12:30 p.m. in the events tent behind the Big House. Watch as heritage interpreters transform their outfits from those of the servant class to the garb of the upper class.
COOKING & FARM
Old-fashioned cooking demonstrations will take place as re-enactors prepare their meals. Our traditional bake oven will be in use, and on Saturday Aug. 6, watch a pig roast demonstration. Explore the heritage kitchen garden and visit our goats, rabbits, and chickens.
HISTORIC WEAPONS
Catching our own food may be considered recreational today, but in the mid-1800s it was a life skill. Learn about the tools and techniques of the fur trade, and hear the blast of the musket during our historic weapons demonstrations.
Want more? Now you can shoot a historic weapon with our Hands on History experience offered at 1 p.m. daily this summer, except Aug. 6, when it will take place at 3:30 p.m.. The experience includes getting to put on a costume for a great souvenir photo opportunity, a lesson with our weapons demonstration supervisor, and one opportunity to fire the musket. Cost is $22 + admission fee. Learn more.
Tickets: Admission to Brigade Days is $7.80/adult, $6.55/senior and free for youth under 17 and for annual pass holders. Tickets are available in the Visitor Centre at 23433 Mavis Ave. An adult annual pass is $19.80.
