Thunder Bay Tourism Newsletter

Volume: 1 Issue: 5

Big and Exciting News:

Fort William Historical Park is proud to announce that their new Amphitheatre is taking shape.  Those familiar with Fort William Historical Park will find something decidedly different taking shape at the entrance grounds to the tourism attraction.  Throughout the summer, the Fort’s amphitheatre has been abuzz with activity as construction crews have been conducting work on a variety of alterations.  Immediately apparent is a battery of flagpoles, stylish lighting fixtures and colourful Fort banners that now adorn the paved wheelchair-accessible paths winding through the amphitheatre.  Grounds are being levelled and landscaped, making for improved sight lines.  The eastern part of the amphitheatre also has a designed helicopter pad and space for six pond hockey rinks as well as space for almost 30 concession stations with requisite power, phone and water access.  Power support and space has been configured to accommodate world class entertainment.  Upon completion, these flourishes will culminate in the largest world-class multipurpose outdoor amphitheatre, virtually unrivalled in Canada with a capacity for over 50,000 spectators.  The amphitheatre underlines the multi-component capabilities of Fort William Historical Park, a tourism leader in Northwestern Ontario.

Events

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery will be holding the following exhibits for the month of September:  For more information visit http://www.theag.ca
Roy Morris: My Great Grandmother’s Gifts, The Art of Roy Morris until Sept 14.  Roy Morris’ first solo show at a public gallery
The GEEEE! In Genome:  from September 19-November 2nd.  Explore the hot issues around DNA, genetically-modified foods, genetic testing, cloning and more.
Alison Kendall – In the Name of Healing: From September 5-November 9th.  Thunder Bay Artist and Lakehead University Fine Arts Professor present stunning works of beads, silk, organza and lace.

On September 6th, the city of Thunder Bay invites you to come down to the Kaministiqua Heritage Park and take part in this year’s annual 2008 Riverfest.  Enjoy live entertainment, tours of the James Whalen Tug Boat, a tour of a 1960’s VIA Rail Train, and much more for the whole family.  Visit http://www.thunderbay.ca/riverfest for more information, or call (807) 625-2351.

The Thunder Bay Historical Museum will be holding the following exhibits or events:
September 7: 1966 Classic Mustang Draw.  Last day for you to get draw tickets for the 1966 Ford Mustang.  Tickets are 2 for $20 or 1 for $15.  Draw will take place at 5pm.
September 13: Doors Open/100th Birthday Party.  A great Opportunity to see the great exhibits currently on display in the public galleries as well as a chance to view normally closed storage wings in the old police station and courthouse that now houses the Thunder Bay Museum.
September 21: Centennial Concert: Celebrating 100 years through music.  The Thunder Bay Historical Museum and St Paul’s Anglican Church are both celebrating their centennial anniversaries in 2008.  As part of the celebrating the organizations are co-hosting a centennial concert featuring Bert Bailey and the St Paul’s Anglican Church Choir.  The Choir will be singing music locally composed.  Some pieces have been unheard for over 100 years.
For more information on these events visit http://www.thunderbaymuseum.com or call (807) 623-0801.

The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium invites you to take in one of the following concerts during September:  Visit http://www.tbca/com or call (807) 684-4444 for more information on these and other upcoming concerts.
Sept 14 – Comedian Andrew Dice Clay
Sept 29 – Comedy show: Yuk Yuk’s on Tour 

Joyce Seppala is one of 17 texile artists chosen to be apart of a show honouring traditional and contemporary Finish and Sami inspired textiles.  She would like to invite you down to the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota in Duluth until October 5 to view her work.

Between September 6 and October 4th, Definitely Superior Art Gallery presents a unique contemporary art exhibits.  The exhibits include England’s award-winning photographer Marjorie Clayton with her award-winning collectiondealing with global socio-political ideas/concepts entitled “Bumpsters on Banjul” alongside her father Charlie Clayton with his collection of urban and natural landscapes of Northwestern Ontario titled “Memory Scapes”, as well as Peter Kingstone’s award winning video titled “100 Stories about My Grandmother”.  Visit http://www.definitelysuperior.com for more information on these exhibits. 

Between September 18th and October 4th, Magnus Theatre welcomes you to the deliriously funny comedy, “Over the River and Through the Woods”.  The comedy has four Italian-American grandparents providing a stream of unsolicited advice on life and love, involving themselves in matchmaking and general meddling, while offering unending food to an attention-smothered grandson.  For more information on this play, more upcoming events and plays visit http://www.magnus.on.ca.  For tickets call the box office at (807) 345-5552.

Between September 26th and October 5th, join local artists in the 12th annual Crossing Borders Studio Tour.  Enjoy the fall colours on Lake Superior, ten studios, 17 artists in their working studios.  View recent work, while enjoying great hospitality, and refreshments.  Visit http://www.crossingbordersstudiotour.com more information and a downloadable map or call (807) 624-0022 or (807) 475-9758.

September is Sports Heritage Month!  The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame will be holding its 27th annual Induction Dinner and Ceremonies on Saturday September 27th at the Valhalla Inn.  Those being inducted include Paralympian Terry Robinson and Olympic pairs figure skater, Kris Wirtz in the Athlete category, Gary Cook and Joe Wirkkunen for their contributions to hockey, and Paul Wirtz for his success as a skating coach in the Builders category, and the 1991-92 Thunder Bay Flyers Junior ‘A’ Hockey Team in the Team Category.  Tickets for the events can be ordered by calling (807) 622-2852.

On September 27th Gammondale Farm kicks off its 13th Annual Pumpkinfest.  Pumpkinfest runs every Saturday and Sunday and Thanksgiving Monday until Halloween from 11am - 5pm.  Gammondale is also open weekdays and evenings by reservation for birthday parties, school tours, community and corporate events.  Visit http://www.gammondalefarm.com for more information on this event and upcoming events.  For reservations for these events e-mail farmfun@tbaytel.net or call (807) 475-9609. 
Also, look for Gammondale’s upcoming Annual Haunted Cornfield in October, and Christmas at Gammondale in December. 

General Tourist Information

The Comfort Inn Thunder Bay celebrates summer with great savings!  Check in for great rates and great service.  Our professional, hospitable staff awaits your arrival.  Plan your get away by calling (807) 475-3155 and ask for your special “E-news rate”.

Stay in touch via e-mail while you’re in town.  All locations of the Thunder Bay Public Library offer free public internet access computers and wireless (WIFI) service.  For more information, including locations and hours of operation, please visit our Virtual Library 24/7 at http://www.tbpl.ca.  

Come out and join in the fun at the Children’s Museum for Thunder Bay, The Imagination Station.  The museum is open on Sundays from 1-4pm at a cost of $4 per child.  Birthday parties and group visits are available upon request.  For more information e-mail childrensmuseumforthunderbay@yahoo.ca or call (807) 345-2222.

Located right by Intercity Shopping Centre.  Come by for a visit to see Ontario’s largest air-filled dome structure at 87,000 sq ft of family fun and entertainment.  The Thunder Bay Sports Dome offers a wide variety of sporting activities including mini-putting, basketball, tennis, badminton and much more.  Book ahead or drop in at your convenience.  Open from 8am to 11pm daily.  Full menu concession and licensed bar available.  Check out http://www.thesportsdome.ca for upcoming events and activities.

Fort William Historical Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm with regularly scheduled tours.  For more information visit their website at http://www.fwhp.ca, e-mail fwhp@ontario.ca, or call (807) 473-2344.

In September, visit Chenier Fine Arts, the Purple Gallery at 8 Court Street South.  They sell original art by emerging and established Canadian, regional, and international artists in a diverse range of art styles ranging from traditional and abstract.  Gallery 1 is featuring “Landscape Images” and Gallery 2 is featuring “Women in the Art.”  New are the water inspired paintings by Kenora artist Pippi Johnson and acorn inspired ceramics of Shane Norrie.  Visit http://www.chenierfinearts.ca for more information and view the 50 artists represented at the art gallery.

North of Superior Tourism Association would like to offer the photographic services of their intern Raeghan Howard.  Their intern will be out and about the in the region taking photographs.  She is also available for photographing at special events.  For more information call (807) 346-1130 Ext.5.