A celebration of Indigenous culture and chances to explore local history and businesses in an outdoor market come together in downtown Fort Frances this week during the Discovery Days event.
Discovery Days, produced by a number of local organizations and coordinated through the Chamber of Commerce and BIA, is being held in town for the first time this week. For the inaugural year, the event will consist of Indigenous Adventures Day on Thursday, History and Heritage Day on Friday and Market Day on Saturday.
“We’re just really excited about the whole program,” Rhonda Howells, marketing and events planner for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, said of Indigenous Adventure Day. “It’s going to be an amazing day. The whole concept is just, you know, promoting the culture and education; it’s an open forum for people to come.”
Education is just one facet of the lineup on Thursday. With an opening ceremony from Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre at 10 a.m., there are also plans for a youth drum group and traditional dancing to fill the 200 block of Scott Street.
Later in the day, food will be available from Kaakewaaseya Justice Services, which is making wild rice soup and bannock dogs, as well as from Couchiching Fire Department, which will operate a small, controlled fire to let people cook their own bannock on a stick.
The United Native Friendship Centre will also be selling hot dogs and tacos in a bag to help reach their own fundraising goals for their work in the community.
Friday’s History and Heritage Day will see artifact and history walks put together by the museum that will encourage attendees to explore the town’s background.
“There’ll be pictures posted on Scott Street of different items, and then people can go to the museum to determine what they are,” Howells said. “The history walk will show the progression of buildings. For example, how Flint House changed from the different building it used to be.”
Redrum Motorcycle Club Treaty 3 Chapter and Causeway Insurance will be holding the “Cars and Chrome Show,” an auto show at which people can get a look at some classic and vintage vehicles.
Causeway Insurance and the Salvation Army will also be putting on a fundraising barbecue featuring Causeway’s winning burger from Burger Wars 2025. Proceeds from the barbecue will be used to help alleviate food insecurity within the community.
The Market Day on Saturday will feature over 20 home-based local businesses and entrepreneurs set up in an outdoor vendor setting on Scott Street. The day will also feature plenty of activities for children, with bouncing castles, face painting and a visit from Santa for “Christmas in July.”
McDonald’s mascot Grimace is also expected to make an appearance in the market to take photos with children and families.
The Discovery Days schedule is set to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, with activities throughout.
