Last weekend was the birthday of a Boissevain icon. Tommy Turtle is now 50 years old, and as well as a Shellabration held by the arena fundraising committee, the municipality held their own birthday party over by Tommy. Perkins said they had been prepping for the big birthday for a while, receiving much help and advice from longtime Turtle Derby organizers Wayne Pringle and Ivan Strain on an exhibit. Fabulous volunteers repainted the Turtle Derby racing gate, and there was music and birthday cake ready for all who wanted to celebrate Tommy. It was an old-fashioned birthday party with games and goodie bags, something for everyone.
“The attendance was good. There was a lot going on that weekend. People were trying to plan their schedules, there was so much to do.”
She added they had a lot of support to pull off the event, which was very important to the community.
“Tommy Turtle is extremely popular,” Perkins said. “There is not one day in the year you don’t see someone get a picture with Tommy.”
There is always a fair bit of planning for the tourist season and 2024 was no different. In May, Perkins sent out some information on tourism with some new initiatives. She said there is always more that can be done to promote Boissevain and they continue to do this.
In some cases, initiatives are really a return to the pre-COVID past. As an example, they have re-started the visitor gift bags. They are filled with information about the community, small souvenirs and business promos. Perkins said some businesses put coupons in the mix, which will make them more valuable for visitors who pick them up at places like the Peace Garden or Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
As well as new brochures, the colouring books are back. Perkins said they have been incredibly popular, and as they were running out, they were refurbished for Tommy’s 50th. Launched at the birthday party, they give young visitors something to enjoy, while also promoting the attractions of Boissevain and area.
On June 4, there was a special tour. Perkins said she has been working with local accommodation providers on promotions and the idea came up of going out to take a look at some of the spots in the area. So a “fam” (familiarizing) tour was held.
“There is such a nice mix in Boissevain and around the area of accommodation providers. Some have been around for years, some are newer. People wanted to see them, to be aware of what is around us.”
They took in three south of town – Turtle Mountain Adventure Huts, Room to Grow Guesthouses and Camp Koinonia. Perkins said it was good for everyone to see what their fellow providers had to offer, and they could bounce ideas off of each other. There are places for couples, families and even large groups to stay out there and enjoy the area. Perkins added it was only “round one”, with future tours to other spots planned for the future.
There are a couple of different attractions in the community this year from last. One is the return of Beckoning Hills Museum. Lack of volunteers shut the famous museum down last summer, but as Perkins said, the heavy work of a new group made everything ready for 2024. She is thankful they did, as it adds another piece to their puzzle that also includes the Wildlife and Railroad Museums and Moncur Gallery.
“How lucky are we to have so many great museums?”
The opening of the new aquatic centre is also bringing people to town, and making it a great summer for locals. There was a great turnout of all ages for the grand opening earlier this month, and there is no question it will add to Boissevain’s popularity.
The next major event to be planned by the municipality is Streetfest on September 14. It celebrates Boissevain’s collective spirit and anyone interested in being involved can reach out to Perkins at the Municipal Office.
She is happy to see the numbers of visitors increasing, and expects to continue to have a great summer. Tourism has always been a focus for Boissevain, and Perkins expects that to grow.
“I think overall in Boissevain we have this incredible tourism potential,” she explained. “We are 15 minutes from the Peace Garden and a 24 hour international port. Boissevain is a destination and we’re trying to enhance that, to spread the word for people to come out and see what we have here.”
“Boissevain and the Turtle Mountain area have a lot to offer out here where rural and urban meet and adventure awaits”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff