Have you ever wondered just how loud a canon is? Well, for the people visiting the Days of Yore event in Didsbury this weekend, and most of the locals around Rosebud Park within earshot, they won't have to wonder any longer.

With the booming shot of a canon, the Days of Yore event was launched. Visitors filled the park lined with tents full of interesting items and people. Knights dressed in their medieval best amicably chatted with Vikings holding shields adorned with metal and clan art. World War 1 soldiers saluted the Didsbury mayor as she entered the park grounds.

A more interesting site you would be pressed to find this Heritage long weekend.

Chair of Days of Yore Kathleen Windsor said the event is part of the Mountain View Arts Society and is one of the major events in the town of Didsbury.

"We showcase a stroll through the ages from the Vikings all the way up to the Second World War and the Korean War with the Prarie Motor Brigade."

Just walking through the phases of history would be enough to amuse most people, but the day doesn't stop there. Battle performances take place where reenactors present how exactly warriors from each period of history fought.

"Some of the groups actually do military exercises. So they will actually do a battle. The Vikings, the knights, they will all do battles and show people the weapons they used, how active it was, whether there were women involved, all of that is showcased. Then, we have World War One fellows over here with the 10th Battalion, and they also are showing kids particularly the use of a grenade, how the trench work was done. They are digging foxholes," said Windsor.

Windsor said the event is an important opportunity for visitors to learn a little bit about the past while enjoying the excitement.

"What's really important is that everyone knows where we came from. Our history, our heritage. So, we have the Scandinavians, we have Germans, Japanese, we have Canadians, Americans. It's important that we know our history or we can't move forward in our future."

While not everyone is born into a Viking clan anymore, those interested in taking up an axe still have an opportunity to do so, said Windsor.

"You come to an event like Days of Yore and you go to one of the encampments and you talk to a Viking, for instance, and you say, 'can I join your group'. We actually have a little girl this year (who) asked if she could stay all weekend with the Vikings and learn how to cook, how to carve, how to make weapons, everything. Each one of these groups wants more people. They'll take you under their wing and show you how to do it."

Today is the last day of the Days of Yore and will host possibly the most entertaining event of the entire weekend: the Grand Melee.

"The Grand Melee is when the Vikings and the Knights fight World War 1 and 2 and the Civil War and the Victorians. Our first year, the battle went on amongst all those fellows from the different centuries, and a Viking was left standing. He thought he had won, and then a Victorian lady walked over to him and batted him on the head with her parasol."

The Grand Melee takes place at 4:00 pm today.

 

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