Picnics 1907

By 1907, the CPR was hosting up to three picnics a day. This was one of the three chief sources of revenue for the company. The park-like area north of the pavilion was ideal for large picnic groups. Cheap rates for excursions attracted a huge variety of organizations. Tables, table clothes, dishes, cutlery were provided at a price. The CPR Employees’ Picnic would attract 6,000. The annual picnic of Eaton Employees, Eaton Athletic Association, featured a thousand young ladies clad in the traditional Eaton colours of blue and white. The most famous picnics were the Caterers’ Picnics, always held in July, in Grand Beach or Winnipeg Beach. Members of the Caterers Association were wholesale grocers. They organized tug-of-wars for the men, healthiest baby and bathing beauty contests for various age groups including young girls, with a prize for the largest family present. Races were organized on the beach and athletic fields, and scrambles were held. Caterers handed out free ice cream and candies to the children.

Source: Manitoba Heritage

Researcher: Wally Johannson