Parks Canada-inspired picnic ideas

The Forks National Historic Site

Imagine a warm afternoon, a spread of sandwiches, fruits, snacks and beverages laid out with care on a plaid blanket, friends and family gathering to share a meal and each other’s time. Picnics are a picture-perfect addition to a day spent enjoying the outdoors at a national historic site.

While people have dined outside for millennia, the picnic was originally an indoor activity, featuring a potluck style contribution system resulting in a fashionable dinner enjoyed by groups. The term itself is first seen in 1649 in a French satire featuring a character named Pique-Nique, though the current record can’t confirm if the character was named for the style of dining or the other way around.

As the pique-nique made its way out of France, the experience became more entwined with the middle class of England in the early 19^th century, now with the Anglicized name “picnic”. There, in the idealistic countryside, it took on a simpler, outdoor format more akin to how we view the activity today.

Baskets, flatware, and blankets might be a nice addition for anyone wanting to partake in a picnic, but the real essence of the event is the food. Parks Canada suggests these bites inspired by our sites to bring your picnic to the next level.

Riel House

A sure sign of summer is farm-fresh veggies like those grown in the historic garden of Riel House. Our spread pays homage to this wonderful initiative led by the Manitoba Métis Federation that grows and shares hundreds of pounds of their edible bounty with Métis Citizens.

Plates of fruit, vegetables and dips on a picnic blanket.

Lower Fort Garry

You’ll want to pack a thermos for this afternoon tea inspired picnic, located in the scenic greenspace at Lower Fort Garry. Just inside the fortified walls of the fort, tea is one thing a Governor’s wife would have indulged in, alongside her esteemed guests in the Parlour. Of course, served with biscuits and finger sandwiches, this spread will still hit the spot over a century and a half later.

A picnic spread with tea, finger sandwiches and cookies.

A picnic basket with teacups and platters of sandwiches and desserts on a blanket on the lawn in front of the walls at Lower Fort Garry.

The Forks

The Forks has long since been known as a place to gather, a site that thrives on connection! In fact, First Nations peoples have been meeting at this very spot for 6,000 years. A picnic here should embrace the art of sharing, like this appetizer heavy meal.

Bowls of chips, dip and berries, platters of fruits and vegetables and glasses of juice on a picnic blanket.

Platters of vegetables and fruits, glasses of juice and a picnic basket on a blanket on the grass at The Forks with the Esplanade Riel in the background.

St. Andrew's Rectory

Reverend Cockran, for whom the St. Andrew’s Rectory was built, set up a demonstration farm on the property to encourage others to take up agriculture. This farm would have included at least one dairy cow whose milk would have been turned into butter and cheese as a way to preserve it. This spread celebrates dairy!

Cheese, crackers, bread and meats on platters and charcuterie boards on a picnic blanket.

Plates of bread, cheese, crackers and meats and a picnic basket on a blanket in front of St. Andrew’s Rectory.

While we encourage you to snack heartily at these Parks Canada administered sites, please do not feed wildlife at any of these places.

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