| Tourism & DVD | |
 Metis Days
Metis Days is a demonstration of Metis Culture that occurs every year on the first weekend in July. Past activities have included: Parade, Roast Beef & Buffalo Supper, Sash Weaving, Michef Language Display, MMF Educational Booth, Fiddle Playing, Silent Auction, Breakfast, Church Service, Barrel Racing, Egg Throwing, Metis Dancers, Pope Demonstrations, Bingo, Craft & Food Tables, Giant Tipi, Horse Shoe Tournament, Dance, Slingshot & Arm Wrestling, Trail Ride, and much more. There is something for everyone at Metis Days located at Lake Metigoshe. |
Metis Days | Deloraine Fair & Races Our fair weekend starts off on Friday evening with a Mud Bog. The display building is open Friday night as well. Saturday morning the judging is in full swing for the Junior and Senior Exhibits in the display building and the building is open for the public to enjoy the many talents of area crafters and cooks. Not to be missed is the Light Horse Show which runs all day Saturday. A parade is held Saturday at noon. Other events during the weekend include a Cattle Show, Ranch Rodeo and various other events. The Harness Races are held on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. There is lots to see and do for the whole family with many children's activities throughout the weekend. Camping and washroom facilities are available so plan on coming to stay for a fun filled weekend. |  | | Fair & Races Parade |
| Flying the Flags of the World
As a project for the new millennium, Deloraine undertook an amazing project. Simply called “Flying the Flags of the World”, its objective was to display flags from all over the world throughout various locations in town. The process was a long one; letters were written to the countries’embassies asking for a donation of their national flag. Sometimes this wasn’t always possible, and flags had to be purchased. The flags were officially raised in the summer of 2000. Presently, there are 206 flags throughout the townsite; 193 flags from around the world, plus the 13 provincial and territorial flags of Canada. Flags can be found at the swimming pool, the Deloraine Motor Inn, in Nygard Park, at the High school, at the Elementary School, and in front of the Legion. Nygard Park is the centerpiece of the flag arrangement, with brick wall facade, paved walking paths, and a commemorative plaque recognizing Peter Nygard’s financial contribution to this display area. |  | | Flying the Flags of the World: Nygard Park |
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Around Deloraine | Flying the Flags of the World
Come and have a cultural experience! As a project for the new millenium, Deloraine diplays flags from 193 countries of the United Nations, as well as the 13 Canadian Provincial and Territorial Flags. The flags are distributed in many locations across town. The flags are displayed from May-September each year. If you would like more information on the flags, consult the "Flying the Flags of the World" tab on the blue margin on the left hand side of this page. | | Purple Martin Tower
Located beside the Deloraine Information Centre right in the heart of Deloraine. This towering structure features 36 houses and 6 castles. This is one excellent place to view purple martins. |  | Restaurants & Shopping
Enjoy our many restaurants and shops. There are four restaurants in Deloraine: Bee Jay’s Restaurant, Hoysun Chinese Restaurant, and Country Cafe at The Deloraine Motor Inn, . Shops include clothing store, grocery and convenience stores, a flower shops, and gift shops. |  | Deloraine Winchester Swimming Pool
Go swimming in our outdoor heated swimming pool, open June to August. Facilities include a diving board, and changing rooms with showers. Swimming lessons available all summer, as well as adult classes, aquasizes, adult lap swim, and swim club. The pool opened in 1981 and is a 25 metre pool with a 3 metre deep end. Summer swimming lessons are also offered at the beaches of Lake Metigohe and Lake Stanley.
205 Finlay Ave. E
Tel: (204) 747-3088. |  | Deloraine Fairgrounds
Visit our newly constructed clay ball diamonds! In the spring of 2002, these diamonds were put to the test when Deloraine hosted the 2002 "A" Peewee Provincial Championships and again in 2003 when Deloraine hosted the 2003 "A" Mosquito Provincial Championships. Also located at the fairgrounds is a 1/2 mile track. Harness racing is held one weekend in July on the track and it is used during the fair and races weekend. Deloraine plays host to a ranch rodeo and light horse show during the fair. |  | Doc Bonar Arena
If you’re here in the winter, pay a visit to Doc Bonar Arena and take in some hockey action! Go Royals! The arena has bleacher seating for 1500 and lobby seating for 150. Hockey and figure skating take centre stage during the winter months.
207 Finaly Ave. E
Tel: (204) 747-2104
|  | Deloraine Curling Rink
Hockey not your thing? Stop in at the Deloraine Curling Rink for a sweepin’good time. Deloraine has a 3 sheet artificial ice rink. There is men, women, seniors, and school leagues along with bonspiels throughout the winter months.
119 Lake St. N
(204) 747-2466
|  | | | | Deloraine Winchester Theatre
270 seat theatre provides weekly movies on Friday and Saturday evenings. The theatre also hosts Southwest Showcase which is a 5 show series of concerts. Border Festival also takes place at the theatre for three weeks in April. This venue is also ideal for holding conventions and meetings.
203 North Railway Avenue West
(204) 747-2670
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Around Winchester
| | Newcomb’s Hollow
If you’re a history buff, this is the place for you! Visit Newcomb’s Hollow showcasing the Boundary Commission Trail! This was a stopping spot for settlers heading west. Wagon ruts are still visible in the hillside. This area has been preserved as a natural prairie site, so many of Manitoba’s native grasses can be seen. Newcomb’s Hollow is located 4 miles east and 3 miles south of Deloraine.
For more information, please contact the Town of Deloraine at (204) 747-2655. |  | Deloraine Golf Course
Golf our picturesque 9 hole golf course or hit some balls at our driving range. Deloraine’s golf course is a challenging but enjoyable play for all skill levels. Golf carts are available for rent. Stop in at the licensed clubhouse after your long day of teeing it up.
For more information, call the Deloraine Golf Club at (204) 747-2411.
http://www.delorainegolfclub.2trom.com/ |  | Boundary Commission Trail
The Boundary Commission Trail Heritage Region is a strip of southern Manitoba traversing from the Red River to the Saskatchewan Border, and following south to the US Border. Throughout time, this area has been of utmost importance. In the Cretaceous era, Mound Builders following the retreat of the glaciers of the last Ice Age left burial mounds to signify their passage through the area. More recently, aboriginal peoples following the buffalo traversed this passage.
Throughout history, The Boundary Commission trail has acted like a backbone to which smaller trails connect and branch from. In 1874, the North West Mounted Police used the trail when traveling west to help maintain order on the western frontier. Many places on the trail still show evidence of its glorious past. In Newcomb’s Hollow South of Deloraine, wagon ruts are still visible in the soil, remnants of the people who have traveled this path over the years.
http://www.wdd.cx/bthr/ |  | Whitewater Lake Birding
Whitewater lake is home to 250,000 waterfowl and 30,000 shore birds, is a great place for bird watching. The area is recognized as a provincial Wildlife Management Area (WMA) as well as being recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The area features a viewing mound and a boardwalk. The lake covers over 8900 hectares (22,000 acres). A short drive from Deloraine along highway #3 between Deloraine and Boissevain. | | Deloraine Airport
Avid flyer? Deloraine boasts a small airport with a 4,000 foot paved runway. Located South of Town. It is one of the few airstrips in southwestern Manitoba that is accessible to LIFELIGHT (air ambulance). |  | Turtle Head Creek Dam
Angler? Head out to the Turtle Head Creek Dam for some top notch fishing. The Dam is located at the golf course, 3 miles east on Highway #3, 1.5 miles south of Deloraine. Follow the golf course signs. |  | Lake Metigoshe
Deloraine is the gateway to water recreation. Lake Metigoshe, 30 km south east of Deloraine is a great place to go boating, tubing, water-skiing, jetskiing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, swimming, etc. Take Highway #3 to PTH 450, and then proceed south. In the winter there are more than 100 kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails in the area. Public beaches, play areas, boat, canoe, and water toy rentals are available and a convenience store is also located at Lake Metigoshe. A channel links Lake Hasselfield, Dromer Lake and Lake Metigoshe. Nearby is the Lake Metigoshe Natural Area. Located on PTH 450, this centre features a boardwalk and interpretive trail detailing wildlife typical to the area, as well as an observation tower.
|  | Hunting
Hunting your thing? Prime waterfowl hunting abounds in all directions of Deloraine. Whitewater lake, home to 250,000 waterfowl and 30,000 shore birds, is a great place for hunters. A short drive from Deloraine. Around Whitewater Lake as well as in the Turtle Mountain area and in the Lauder Sandhills area, a wide range of hunting opportunities abound: ducks, geese, wild turkey, pheasant, white tail deer and moose. There is an indoor firing range at the Game and Fish Association building in the Fair Grounds. An outdoor range is located 5 minutes from Deloraine on the golf course road. |
Around the Area
| Snowmobiling
Trails are located throughout the Deloraine and Winchester area. The trails are connected to Deloraine which makes all the towns services available to riders. A snowmobile rally is held every February.
For more information, call Snoman at (204) 940-7533.
http://www.snoman.mb.ca/ |  | | Map of Snowmobile Trails |
| Turtle Mountain Provincial Park:
Lake Adam, Lake Max, Lake William
Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is a great family recreation area. This area is composed of many lakes, including notably, Lake Adam, Lake William, and Lake Max. All three of these lakes provide camping and recreational activities.
Lake Adam, a 35 min drive south east of Deloraine, holds fun for the whole family. The park is characterized by undulating hills, marshland, deciduous forest and shallow lakes, as well as interpretive areas. Lake Adam has electric and non-electrical campsites, swimming, chipped hiking trails, and fishing. Lake Adam also boasts showers, modern, and non-modern bathrooms. Winter activities include skating, cross country skiing, toboggan runs, an outdoor hockey arena, etc.
For campsite information and reservations, call 1-888-482-2267, or visit www.manitobaparks.com. Campgrounds open from mid-May to mid-September.
Lake Max is approximately a 30 min drive south east of Deloraine. This quiet, out of the way campground is on the park’s largest lake. Great for group camping. Fishing, swimming, and hiking are the main activities.
Visit www.manitobaparks.com for more information. Campground open from mid-May to mid-September.
Lake William, a 40 min drive from Deloraine, offers camping, a public beach, hiking trails, fishing, etc.
Visit www.manitobaparks.com for more information. Campground open from mid-May to mid-September.
|  | International Peace Gardens
The International Peace Gardens is a great place to visit. Located on the Canada / US border, the Peace Gardens are a symbol of peace between the two countries. The Peace Gardens are known for their elaborate and extensive floral displays, and the Peace Towers. Other Attractions include an Interpretive Center, the Peace Garden Cafe, gift shop, campgrounds, and bed & breakfasts. Free concerts by the music camp students are open to the public.
For more information, call the Peace Gardens at (204) 534-2510.
http://www.peacegarden.com/ |  | Bottineau Winter Park Ski Hill
Downhill skiing is available at Winter Park Ski hill in Bottineau, ND, a short drive away. The facility has lighted runs, ski rentals, pro shop and food services.
For snow conditions, please call the North Dakota Tourism Department at 800-435-5663.
http://www.skibwp.com/ |  |
Flying the Flags of the World
| Flying the Flags of the World
As a project for the new millennium, Deloraine undertook an amazing project. Simply called “Flying the Flags of the World”, its objective was to display flags from all over the world throughout various locations in town. The process was a long one; letters were written to the countries’embassies asking for a donation of their national flag. Sometimes this wasn’t always possible, and flags had to be purchased. The flags were officially raised in the summer of 2000. Presently, there are 206 flags throughout the townsite; 193 flags from around the world, plus the 13 provincial and territorial flags of Canada. Flags can be found at the swimming pool, the Deloraine Motor Inn, in Nygard Park, at the High school, at the Elementary School, and in front of the Legion. Nygard Park is the centerpiece of the flag arrangement, with brick wall facade, paved walking paths, and a commemorative plaque recognizing Peter Nygard’s financial contribution to this display area. | | | Flying the Flags of the World: Nygard Park |
| If you are planning on visiting the "Flags of the World" displays, we recommend you pick up a "Flying the Flags of the World" booklet. They are available free of charge at the Information Centre. Inside is information of each flag, the symbolism of each country's flag, and a map illustrating where each flag display is located (as seen on right).
There is a significant cost in maintaining the health of the flags; due to weather, they have to be replaced every two years. These costs are offset by the Flag adoptions. We encourage adoption of the flags, for it is this generosity that keeps the project alive. Adopters are gratefully noted in the “’Flying the Flags of the World” booklets. Updated yearly, this insert acknowledges who adopted each flag.
If you are interested in adopting a flag, please call the Town of Deloraine Office at (204) 747-2655.
Watch the Flags of the World in action!!!
Click on the link to download a short clip of the flags of the world. The clip will take a minute or so to download (56k modem). Click to Download |  | | Map of Flag Locations |
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Historic Deloraine & Area | 10,000 years ago...
The Deloraine area has a rich heritage which dates back to artifacts left by the Paleo Indians over 10,000 years ago. Spearpoints and arrowheads are still found in fields and former hunting sites and are among the oldest in the province. |  | | Arrowheads |
| Settling Old Deloraine
Pierre La Verendrye in the mid 1700's was the first European in the area; he named the Turtle Mountains "the Blue Jewel of the Prairies". Over the years, several fur trading companies built forts in the area and on the nearby Souris River.
The area known today as Historic Deloraine came into existence around 1880 and was prompted by an influx of settlers looking for inexpensive land along the Boundary Commission Trail. George Newcomb was the area’s first Land Title’s agent, and was responsible for dispensing land to the settlers. Newcomb’s office became the center of life and the center of town. With the Land Title’s office as a focal point, the original townsite sprouted.
The name “Deloraine” was adopted by resident James Cavers after his homeland in Scotland. The town itself consisted of a church, a hall, a gristmill, a general store, and a blacksmith shop. |  | | Travelling by Wagon |
| Moving to the Railway
The growth of Deloraine in its original location was stunted with the coming of the railway. A serious problem appeared when the railway was not built along the Boundary Commission trail as expected, but rather, placed to the North of the Turtle Mountains. For decades, the Boundary Commission Trail had served as a highway, transporting goods and people. Now, the railway was to serve the same function, in a faster and a modernized fashion. For the town to survive, it needed to be on the railway.
Realizing that the railroad was integral to the success of Deloraine, an interesting solution was concocted. Since the railway couldn’t come to the town, the town would go to the railway. In the winter of 1886, most of the town buildings were placed on skids, and dragged to the present townsite. The fieldstone bank vault of Stuart’s Bank, one of two remaining in Western Canada, is the only standing marker of the original townsite. | | The Fieldstone Bank Vault - All that remains
The bank vault at Old Deloraine was built in 1883 by George Rickard, a Deloraine pioneer and stonemason. It was located within a bank erected the same year by brothers A.P. and Frederick Stuart. The fieldstone vault, used for the storage of valuables such as homestead deeds, is all that remains of Old Deloraine.
The structure is comprised of a large barrel vault with high, rounded end walls. The free-standing bank vault is constructed from native granite fieldstone reinforced by mortar and iron rods. It is one of the earliest examples of granite fieldstone construction in Manitoba. |  | | Fieldstone Bank Vault at Old Deloraine |
| Newcomb's Hollow
Newcomb's Hollow just south of Deloraine offers a pristine link with the past. The 32 hectare preserve of Native mixed grass prairie waves in the wind as it has for centuries. Deep ruts in the prairie sod mark the Boundary Commission Trail stopping place of the Mounties in 1874. The areas first land titles office in the valley offered land for $10.00 an acre. |  | | Newcomb's Hollow |
| Wanting More?
There are many locations rich in history and heritage in Deloraine and the surrounding area. Including an area close to Highway 21 where old abandoned mine shafts were located, where coal was mined at the turn of the century and in the Great Depression. The only commercial coal mining in Manitoba's history. While in Deloraine, pick up an interpretive pamphlet for these sites at the Information Centre in downtown Deloraine. | | | |
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