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The Philip J. Currie Dinosuar Museum will be one of four museums taking part in the festivities from August 20-29 (EverythingGP file photo)
By Abby Zieverink
Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Grande Prairie area museums teaming up for International Museum Day events

Aug 8, 2021 | 7:00 AM

Local Museums in Grande Prairie are gearing up for International Museum Day, starting with a virtual scavenger hunt prior to the big day on August 29.

From August 20 to 29, the Grande Prairie Museum, Heritage Discovery Centre, Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, and Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre are hosting a variety of activities for residents to learn more about the museums.

Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association Executive Director Renee Charboneau says this is the first year the Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre is taking part in the International Museum Day scavenger hunt with the city.

“That has been something the three city museums and the Philip J Currie have done in the past, and when we asked if we could now be a part of this since we are considered an institutional museum, they said yes… so they included us in the scavenger hunt.”

Charbonneau says for their part of the scavenger hunt, there are ten questions to learn about local and regional military history.

“Ten things that you will need to do and find and participate in, and then we have prizes and things that we will be giving to people through the three museums.”

Charbonneau says they have also been working on final improvements at the Veterans Memorial Garden for the International Museum Day on August 29.

“If all goes well, by the time that day rolls around, our facility will also be wheelchair accessible,” she said.

“We’re working very hard on some of those final improvements so that by the time winter comes, we should be all behind fence and things should be very good in our world.”

The city will be offering free shuttles between the museums for residents every 40 minutes and each of the museums are free to attend on International Museum Day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on August 29.

Charboneau says the Memorial Garden is a quick walk from the bus stop.

“They can come across the street and down the little alley into the parking lot at Macklin Field, and come into the facility… and we cannot wait to show it off.”

The Grande Prairie Museum will have a Recycling Then and Now program. The Heritage Discovery Centre will have a History in Sports program, The dino museum will be showcasing a Burgess Shale Quilts show, as well as a Species at Risk program.

The Veterans Memorial Garden will include a program to show visitors what life was like for soldiers during World War II.

To participate in the Virtual Scavenger Hunt, search GP International Museum Day 2021 or enter game code: 3MKM88 on the Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt app. A full list of rules can be found on the City of Grande Prairie website.

by Abby Zieverink