This year’s edition of Culture Days will see some schedule shuffling to fit an appearance by Manitoba’s lieutenant-governor.
Flin Flon Arts Council cultural coordinator Crystal Kolt told members of Flin Flon city council during their April 2 meeting that Janice Filmon, the current lieutenant-governor of Manitoba, will come to Flin Flon this September to take in some of the events scheduled in the community.
“She’s very excited about coming to the community. She wants to see everything and is super excited about coming to the community. It’s been about three years of trying, so we’re very excited that this is going to be happening,” Kolt said.
Filmon and a small group of provincial officials will arrive in Flin Flon on Thursday, Sept. 26, according to Kolt, and leave later in the weekend.
The visit will coincide with several returning events being moved from Friday to Thursday, including most events at Hapnot Collegiate.
“Culture Days is still expanding exponentially. There were about 18 events that were in the high school last year on the Friday that are now going to be on the Thursday, so she (Filmon) can attend the high school events and the Human Books,” said Kolt, referencing the annual Human Books event at the Flin Flon Public Library, where people have a chance to socialize with notable figures in Flin Flon’s arts, historical and cultural sectors.
“Every year for Human Books, we kind of use that as the kickoff for Culture Days and we usually have the mayors say greetings. She’ll say a greeting for that. We have lots of events planned and we’re very excited about her coming,” Kolt said.
Filmon’s visit will also coincide with a ceremony to honour local historians Gerry Clark and Don Peake, said Kolt. Last year, the pair were honoured by the Manitoba Historical Society for their work in preserving Flin Flon’s unique past. Two maple trees will be planted to mark their achievements during the Culture Days weekend.
Culture Days will be held from Sept. 26-29.
