MHV prepares for Pioneer Days

Demonstrations of pioneer life will help tell the story of the Mennonites’ early years in the Steinbach area as part of Pioneer Days at the Mennonite Heritage Village from Aug. 1 to 3.

The annual event routinely attracts between 6,000 and 7,500 guests and MHV executive director Robert Goertzen said it’s important to see history come alive.

Live music, traditional food, and activities for all ages will take place in the backdrop of a traditional Mennonite village.

On Saturday, volunteers will bake bread in an outdoor oven, and an artisan market will be available.

Sunday will kick off with the Old Colony worship service taking place in a 145-year-old church and will continue with the Sangerfest hymn sing and the Southeast Manitoba Draft Horse Association horse show.

Monday will feature the documentary, And When They Shall Ask, a docudrama about the Mennonite journey from Russia in 1788 to present.

Pioneer demonstrations include blacksmithing, butter churning, flour milling, steam driven sawmill activities and more.

“It’s really important for the community to understand what the origins are of our community so it’s important for us to celebrate some of those early activities that the first settlers would have been participating in,” Goertzen said. “It’s also important for us to recognize that some of the values of the village life have been passed on.”

“We continue to care about our neighbours and look after each other and notice each other and ensure that the community is healthy in all manners, both physically but also mentally,” he added. “We want everyone to feel like they belong.”

For more information go to mhv.ca.