Discover Thanksgiving at Black Creek Pioneer Village

- New fall beers, harvest activities and Thanksgiving Dinners set to bring visitors back in time to a simpler time period -

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Black Creek Pioneer Village celebrates Thanksgiving with three days of special activities, a new fall ale at the Black Creek Historic Brewery and Thanksgiving Dinners at the Half Way House Restaurant.

"Thanksgiving is a special time at the Village.  The leaves are colourful and we focus on traditional harvest and fall  traditions and activities in a unique heritage setting," said Wendy Rowney, Assistant General Manager, Black Creek Pioneer Village. "Thanksgiving wasn't an official holiday in Canada until 1879. During the 1860s, many people celebrated the harvest with a special dinner highlighting seasonal produce such as pumpkin, squash, and apples.   Communities also celebrated the season by decorating their churches with fresh produce which was given to families in need after the service. We've captured the essences of these celebrations through experiences and activities at the Village this weekend."

Make your Thanksgiving weekend special by treating yourself to freshly baked apple and pumpkin treats and hot apple cider available for purchase in the Half Way House Kitchen. Be sure to visit the bronze turkeys in the Black Creek Barnyard and take the Pioneer Poultry Tour, or lend a hand with pickling and preserving the season's bounty.

Enjoy a special treat by adding the Black Creek Pioneer Village Thanksgiving Dinner to your day on Sunday, October 12 and Monday, October 13. Thanksgiving Dinners at the Village are a traditional feast with a full three-course meal! There are three seatings available and reservations are required. Sample some historic ales and take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the Village while you're there (extra fees may apply).

The Black Creek Historic Brewery serves up some unique ales based on historic recipes from the mid-1800s and using brewing techniques from the same period. First, a Sweet Stout is available at the brewery beginning October 11- 13. Lactose, a sugar derived from milk, is added to Black Creek Stout resulting in a sweet creamy finish to the beer. This pairs perfectly with brie, a well-aged cheddar, BBQ foods, spicy Asian dishes, and chocolate cake or brownies.

Black Creek Historic Brewery will then make available its popular Pumpkin Ale beginning October 18, 19, 25 and 26. This beer uses real pumpkin in the brew kettle and is infused with a blend of spices including nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon prior to fermentation. The result is a golden ale heady in spices and flavor.

Thanksgiving Activities at the Village, Saturday October 11 – Monday October 13:

• Discover the unique history of the Canadian holiday we call Thanksgiving.  12:00 – 12:30 & 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
• Kick up your heels and learn Victorian dances.  2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
• Take the Pioneer Poultry Tour and learn all about Black Creek's heritage breed turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese.11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Meet the Shepherd and her sheep.  1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• Sample beers brewed in the Black Creek Historic Brewery.  Sweet Stout will be available along with other varieties, both traditional and unique.  Beer Sampler available 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Enjoy a refreshing pint of history. Tour our historic brewery and enjoy samples of beer made the old-fashioned way. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Watch as the miller grinds grain into flour at Roblin's Mill.  1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Sunday only.
• Help to peel and schnitz (dry) apples in preparation for the coming winter. Saturday & Sunday only.

*Please note that all programs and times are subject to change.  Visitors should check in the www.blackcreek.ca or call for details.

Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is Toronto's premier outdoor living history museum. Visitors can explore heritage homes and buildings restored to re-create an 1860s Ontario village. Historic interpreters in period dress demonstrate how villagers lived, worked and played. The Village hosts learning programs and special events that highlight local heritage and culture. The tranquil setting, rural landscapes, heritage gardens and period farm animal breeds make Black Creek Pioneer Village the perfect place to break out of the modern world and journey into the past. Located in north Toronto, Black Creek Pioneer Village is owned and operated by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA). For more information please visit www.blackcreek.ca.

Black Creek Pioneer Village acknowledges support from the City of Toronto, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto, and the public.

SOURCE: Black Creek Pioneer Village

Media Contact: Rowena Calpito, Black Creek Pioneer Village, 416.661.6600 ext 5632, [email protected]