Duane Hicks
The Town of Fort Frances is gearing up for the start of tourism season here.
For instance, the Fort Frances Tourist Information Centre opens its doors for the season this Friday (May 20).
Tourists can drop in and get information not only on things to do and places to go in Fort Frances and the surrounding area, but all of Sunset Country, said Tannis Drysdale, a consultant with the Rainy River Future Development Corp.
Tourists can visit the taxidermied moose there. And this year, the centre will provide a “selfie stick” to make it easier for tourists to take their own photo with the moose and then share it on social media.
The Sister Kennedy Centre also has donated two stuffed owls to display there.
The centre also has free wi-fi access, complimentary bottled water, and public washrooms.
The tourist information centre is looking to build more displays this season.
“This year, we’re going to make a big display if where you can buy souvenirs in Fort Frances,” said Drysdale.
“So we’ll be out looking for retailers who sell souvenirs.”
The idea is to showcase souvenirs available locally. While the centre cannot sell the souvenirs, it can display examples of them and tell tourists where they can go to buy them, Drysdale explained.
Any business interested in showing off their souvenirs should contact Drysdale at 274-9621.
Likewise, any local restaurants, hotels, or other businesses are welcome to provide their brochures to the centre.
“We’ll be happy to display them and hand out the information to tourists,” noted Drysdale.
She said the tourist information centre has come a long way in the past two years, and urged local residents to drop in and take a look for themselves.
“I think lots of local people haven’t seen the moose yet,” Drysdale remarked.
“And we’ve redone most of the interior of the building.
“There’s all sorts of great displays, pictures of our community that they may find interesting to look at,” she added.
The interior also will get a paint job this season.
The tourist information centre’s hours for May and June are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
It will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Victoria Day (May 23).
In related news, the local riverfront also will be open for business just in time for the May long weekend.
The Sorting Gap Marina, where people can go to buy ice cream, pop, chips, water, ice, and gas for their boat, opens Friday.
Its hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.
As well, the “Hallett” and lookout tower along the La Verendrye Parkway also open for the season this Friday.
Admission to the heritage sites is available at the Sorting Gap Marina and Fort Frances Museum.
Paying admission provides access to the “Hallett,” lookout tower, and the museum, where the newest exhibit, “Rainy River Roots: Settlement of the District,” is on display.
The cost is $4 for adults and $3 for seniors/children aged six-12 (those five and under are free).
There also is a family/group rate of $12.
Visitors are given a time-sensitive tag with an access code that is changed daily.
The “Hallett” and lookout tower are open daily from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (depending on weather) while the Fort Frances Museum, which switches to summer hours this Friday, is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Children under 14 must be accompanied by a caregiver age 16 or older.
Appropriate footwear is required.
Visitors also are asked to use caution as surfaces are uneven, and platforms are steep and high.
