Yukon Heritage Days to celebrate Canadian Wilderness

There are national and local celebrations all over Canada in February. And in the far north, the Yukon Territory revels in the region’s tenacious, frontier spirit.

The annual event has come to be known as the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, which is from February 19-28 in 2016. It embodies the larger spirit of family and patriotic heritage that permeates the nation during a series of public holidays across Canada.

During late February, the Yukon’s largest city – Whitehorse – exudes an energy that brings the area’s heritage alive and helps local residents and visitors enjoy the coming of spring. There are family-friendly activities and sporting events. There are also food celebrations like pancake breakfasts and pie eating contests.

This celebration has been centuries in the making. Since the earliest times of Canada, the Yukon First Nation communities gathered for feasts and celebrations. There was merriment, food, dancing, singing and drumming. Today, many of the heritage activities are inspired by that vibrant culture. The events during the Yukon Heritage Days include festivals, feasts, artistic displays, a spelling bee, business decorations, and a cast of Yukon characters.

The event also includes Yukon standards like axe throwing, dogsledding, flour packing and chainsaw chucking. In the evening, the entire town city lives it up with Sourdough Sam – the festival mascot – competitions, the crowning of the festival Queen, and travelling performances by the world-famous Snow Shoe Shufflers and Rendezvous Can Can dancers. There is also a presentation of the comic capers of the Keystone Kops.

With long nights and the enjoyment of partying under the midnight sun, the Yukon offers a unique travel experience. Located in the northwest of the country, it is the perfect final destination for a car hire adventure in Canada. With wildlife, outdoor sports, camping and a vast natural history, the Yukon offers a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.