In 2016, the Stanley Mission Braves claimed the Louis Riel Relay trophy. Photo courtesy @louisrielrelay, Facebook.
The Louis Riel Relay’s second year back after a long hiatus promises to pack a punch.
The event is taking place at the Batoche National Historic Site on Saturday, with horseback riding and canoeing making up part of the competition.
Organizer Logan Richards says this year they’re combining the relay with Kidfest to celebrate Canada’s 150th, and moving it up to earlier in the summer so they can catch people before they head up to the lake for holidays. Also, they’re adding a youth relay this year.
Richards was part of the effort to bring the Riel Relay back in 2016 after a long hiatus. The relay’s 1980s origins were in Saskatoon but the event faded away after 1999.
“We brought it back here as an initiative to get kids more interested in history and historical activities, and to get them outdoors,” he said.
“All the activities are things that the Metis would have done back in the day, so for example we have canoeing and we also have foot races, these are all things the Metis practiced as well. The horseback riding is also a big portion of that too.”
He invited people to dress up for the day, after several of last year’s teams came dressed in costumes.
Richards is expecting more than a thousand people to attend in 2017, with a competitive, youth, and recreational Riel Relay planned and different entry fees for each. Horses will be provided for competitors.
Admission for the relay and Kidfest Saturday event is $3.90 per person. The site opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m., with facepainting, live music from Phil and Dallas Boyer, and pie eating contest among the attractions.