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Upper Fort Garry is Manitoba's newest provincial park. This former Hudson's Bay Company fort is the place where Louis Riel formed the Provisional Government, which led to Manitoba entering Confederation as a province. Newly reclaimed, Upper Fort Garry is now an interpretive park with a 440-foot artistic steel wall that tells its story through various mediums. Download the free app and visit the site for a fun new historical interpretation experience. The city's dark side can be explored on numerous ghost tours and vigils. It is said The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa, and Conference Centre is haunted by a ghostly woman in a ball gown, a phantom diner and a mysterious ghost light that traverses the halls of this Grand Trunk Pacific Hotel. Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum is known for its connection to the spirit world where apparitions of children, nuns, nurses, patients and even a feisty voyageur have been known to roam the building's nooks and crannies. When Harry Colebourn bought a small black bear cub and named it after his hometown of Winnipeg, little did he know that he would be setting the stage for one of the most beloved characters of children's literature, television, and film to come to life and inspire millions. Winnie the Bear is commemorated in his hometown with a statue at Assiniboine Park, as well as The Pooh Gallery, which houses a collection of artifacts and memorabilia telling the history of that "silly old bear." Metis leader Louis Riel was hanged in 1885 for treason after leading the North-West Resistance. Today, that opinion has changed and many consider this man to be the "Father of Manitoba." His life is commemorated during Louis Riel Day, which is a provincial holiday celebrated annually on the third Monday of February. Manitoba's capital city has a storied past that overflows with characters, anecdotes and happenings that have made Winnipeg one of Canada's most intriguing and welcoming of cities. Here are a few fun "did you know?" stories to get your creative juices flowing. Winnipeg Quirky Story Starters Historic park Winnie the Bear Ghostly Venues Louis Riel Courtesy Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre Tyler Walsh Tyler Walsh Kristhine Guerrero W INNIPEG S T ORY IDE AS 22 For more information or to arrange a media visit, contact Gillian Chester at 204.954.1977 or gillian@tourismwinnipeg.com