After the rain cleared Sunday morning it was a peaceful day at Huble on the first day of Spring on the Homestead. It's the historic site's annual two-day kick-off to the season which showcases what's on offer every day until Sept. 3.
"This is always a pretty quiet event, which is a nice way to ease into the season," Krystal Leason, operations manager at Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society, said. "It's a nice way to get the family outside and a good way to get back into summer and seeing what's new at Huble Homestead."
The May-pole streamers were already waving as people participated in the traditional dance to welcome spring while birds sang and heritage interpreters and guests joined forces to start churning the homemade ice cream.
Salt Water Hank and Big Fancy were strumming their guitars and singing their songs, like Tuberculosis Blues, that Kat Kostukevich, a guest at Huble, said she particularly enjoyed because it was so original.
Kostukevich brought along her two-year-old daughter Quinn, and an admittedly reluctant Dustin Zolnai, Quinn's dad.
"They dragged me here," Zolnai laughed, as he lifted Quinn up so she could reach the handle to help churn the ice cream. The little family had been to Huble Homestead Historic Site for the first time last year at the annual Halloween event and enjoyed it so much they thought they should check it out again this year. They started off their Sunday with a pancake breakfast while listening to the live entertainment provided, checked out the General Store, started the scavenger hunt and made ice cream all within the first 90 minutes of the site opening.
"Next we're going to go down to the river to look for more clues for the scavenger hunt and then watch the blacksmith," Kostukevich said. The family was worried about the showers that took place Sunday.
"But it's actually beautiful out here," Kostukevich smiled, looking at the cloudy sky and peaceful setting.
There were crafts in the barn, old-fashioned games being played and blacksmith demonstrations were held most of the day.
Guests were invited to help plant the garden while senior interpreter Ashlee Thiessen was digging furrows for the many varieties of potatoes that would be harvested in time for the fall's potato festival where people can purchase the harvested vegetables planted at Huble like cabbage, beets, carrots, and, of course, the stars of the garden, the heirloom potatoes.
Spring on the Homestead is on Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Huble Homestead Historic Site is a 30 minute drive north on Highway 97, turn right on Mitchell Road to continue another 6 kms down a well-maintained dirt road. Entry is by recommended donation of $10 per family. For more information visit www.hublehomestead.ca.
