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#bigstuffinsmalltowns

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#Good Morning #Canada
Another installment of #BigStuffInSmallTowns takes us to Dewberry Alberta, the home of chuckwagon racers. So it's no surprise that the world's largest chuckwagon was unveiled at the 1995 Chuckwagon Races held in Dewberry, a full 1.5 times the size of a real racing wagon. There may be more deserving oversized monuments across Canada, but the YouTube feature on this big wagon only has 54 views and needs some love.

#CanadaIsAwesome #Chuckwagon
youtu.be/O47HcrOI39g?si=J6Zbl-

Good Morning #Canada
We are well into season 3 of #BigStuffInSmallTowns, and it's a long weekend, so today we celebrate Canadians' favourite subject - #Beavers. In Fredericton, a pair of Beavers has been hidden away for almost a decade but recently have been exposed to the public once more. The 1,400 kilo sculpture of a Beaver and a cub, commissioned in 1959, has been restored and installed inside the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

#CanadaIsAwesome
cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswi

CBCFamous Fredericton beaver sculpture finds new home in downtown art gallery | CBC NewsWhen people pass by the white-pillared Beaverbrook Art Gallery, starting this weekend they will be greeted by one of Fredericton's most famous sculptures.

Good Morning #Canada
Another installment of #BigStuffInSmallTowns brings another tale of a town mascot on the move. Mr. PG is an 8.14-metre statue made of wood and fibreglass, located at the intersection of Highways 16 and 97, in Prince George. But Mr. PG is now looking for a new home downtown where "things are happening." That might be a direct quote. Prince George thinks the 60 year old icon can bring more tourists into town.

#CanadaIsAwesome #Mascot
cbc.ca/news/canada/british-col

CBCProposed move of Mr. PG, a giant faux-wood lumberjack, prompts pushback in Prince George | CBC NewsA proposal to move Mr. PG, a giant faux-wood lumberjack, has sparked debate about whether Prince George is a destination tourists want to visit or merely a place for people to drive through.

Good Morning #Canada
As the popular saying goes, you can't swing a beaver in Canada without hitting a lumberjack statue. But when a 6.5M tall statue starts moving around then it gets interesting. If you can find Iroquois Falls on a map, then you should stop by for a selfie with the tourist attraction known locally as "Storyteller" or "Guy-Paul Treefall". After being all alone on Hwy 11, he's moving downtown for the nightlife.

#CanadaIsAwesome #BigStuffInSmallTowns
cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/lum

CBCLumberjack statue gets new home in Iroquois Falls to boost tourism | CBC NewsThe fate of the statue located along Highway 11, known by some as the 'Storyteller' or 'Guy-Paul Treefall' was undecided, until town council voted to restore and move it to the Iroquois Falls Museum.

Good Morning, er... Afternoon #Canada
I was saving my first #BigStuffInSmallTowns post of 2025 for mid-May, but the power failure, now over, delayed my "research" into other subjects, so I'm using it early. Today, you get to learn about the 5.8 metre tall Big Joe Mufferlaw statue in Mattawa, Ontario. The hand carved pine statue was erected to honour a local legend whose real name was Joseph Montferrand.

#CanadaIsAwesome #CanadianPioneers
mattawamuseum.ca/about/big-joe

Good Morning #Canada
Some mornings, I wake up and struggle to find material for this daily post. I'm sure something or somebody was or is interesting, but maybe the subject doesn't speak to me like beaver stories or #BigStuffInSmallTowns. But then you remember that approx 13,820 days ago, the Montreal band The Box released Closer Together, and it could be our rallying cry in these turbulent times. Or it's just 80s cool.

#CanadaIsAwesome #CanadianMusic #TurnItUp
youtu.be/AFT1l50CgHo?si=QC5SrZ

Good Morning #Canada
#Thanksgiving weekend will see a lot of Canadians out sightseeing, and therefore, it's time for our final #BigStuffInSmallTowns post for 2024. In Bonnyville Alberta, you can find the enormous hand-carved statue of fur trader Angus Shaw. The 7 metre high statue welcomes visitors to the Bonnyville and District Museum. BTW, Angus is one of eleven examples of Big Stuff on Alberta's #RouteOfTheGods.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip #History
lakelandtoday.ca/bonnyville-ne

LakelandToday.ca · Scotsman, fur trader, game changerAngus Shaw was a Scotsman employed as a fur trader in Canada by the North West Company, and in 1789, he made a discovery that would be a game changer for the region.

Good Morning #Canada
Today is another #golf day for me and therfore I have some related #BigStuffInSmallTowns content. In my backyard, OK 30 minutes north of me, is the largest golf bag on the planet. A local golf course repurposed a grain silo to create a 9 metre tall replica. You would need Paul Bunyan to Caddy for you.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip
tvo.org/article/roadside-attra

www.tvo.orgTVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts

Good Morning #Canada
Did you ever wonder where the longitudinal center of Canada is? And when you found it, did you wish for a big comfy chair so you can relax and enjoy your discovery? Well, today is your lucky day because this #BigStuffInSmallTowns post allows you to put a checkmark on your #BucketList. According to the internet, and therefore it must be true, the center of Canada is near Tache, Manitoba.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip
quirkytravelguy.com/longitudin

Quirky Travel Guy · Quirky Attraction: The Longitudinal Center of Canada - Quirky Travel GuyJust east of Winnipeg, Manitoba sits the exact longitudinal center of Canada. A big tourist sign and a maple leaf flag made of flowers mark the official site.

Good Morning #Canada
We are nearing the end of prime #RoadTrip season, so we need to squeeze in a few more #BigStuffInSmallTowns posts. This is a rare example from Quebec (maybe they're more sophisticated than the rest of Canada), an observation platform consisting of huge painted boulders that represent a cow lying in a field. Located in the tiny town of St-Georges-de-Windsor, in the Eastern Township.

#CanadaIsAwesome #Cows
youtu.be/h5SOeiZuywk?si=uC9fGo

Good Morning #Canada
Previous #BigStuffInSmallTowns posts have featured monstrous bees and mosquitoes, so I'm obligated to give a giant dragonfly some attention as well. Created by Frank Phaneuf, a structural welder, the 10 metre long statue is located in Wabamun AB. Installed in 2009, it is the unofficial mascot of the village due to the annual hatching of thousands of dragonflies each June.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip
dailyhive.com/calgary/worlds-l

Good Morning #Canada
Today's edition of #BigStuffInSmallTowns is a quirky attraction - the World Famous Torrington Gopher Hole Museum, located in Torrington, Alberta. Created as a way to attract tourists to their shrinking town, it features 77 stuffed gophers posed to resemble townspeople in 44 intricately designed dioramas. It's a little weird, but I think I would stop for a visit if I'm traveling in the area.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip
todocanada.ca/a-day-at-the-wor

To Do Canada · A Day at the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum: Picnics, Photos, and Quirky Fun in TorringtonThe history of Alberta’s most unique museum starts with, of course, gophers! The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington (east-central Alberta) has those little critters to thank for its inception and its fame today.[caption id="attachment_293630" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] eileenmak/Flickr[/caption]The Gopher Hole Museum gives travellers and visitors a unique look into farm life. The museum holds a collection of taxidermized gophers, each dressed for different farm and community life scenes. The Museum opened in 1996 after Torrington was overrun with gophers.[adinserter block="4"][adinserter block="15"]At first, the gopher hole museum was thought to be meant as a joke. But the idea gained traction, and the town council began brainstorming how to incorporate gophers into Torrington tourism. Today, the museum is run by its original owner and curator, Dianne Kurta. She and 77 gophers greet visitors to the museum.https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjwra28OmER/?img_index=1The museum’s 77 different gophers are scattered among 44 dioramas. You might recognize some of the spots, as these dioramas are a representation of the once-bustling farm town of Torrington. Many of these displays are captioned, too, adding humour and fun to each display.These gophers can hunt, serve dinner, play instruments, tend to farms, make jokes, and more.Each diorama took a considerable amount of time and effort to create. So, take time at each display to admire the work and creativity. The manicured grounds around the museum also offer an opportunity for a picnic and adorable photos.https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuf8BhYrLQ9/ More Alberta Time Travelling: The town’s population is a far cry from what it was in the mid-20th century. You will be able to find a nice quiet campground beside the Café, with firepits and picnic tables at each site. The town is a scenic place for a walk, especially if it is a roadside stop and you need to stretch your legs. The Kneehill Historical Museum, about 25 minutes east of Torrington, has an awesome collection of antiques of all kinds: vehicles, farm equipment, housewares, furniture, toys, and replica buildings. Head north to Trochu for their local Museum. The local Trochu history includes French roots, farming roots, and much more, all of which are on display. Travel east from Torrington to find one of Alberta’s most authentic and well-preserved ghost towns. Rowley, about 45 minutes east of Torrington, is more of a museum than anything else. The town has a full street of abandoned buildings (there are still private properties to be respectful of!), a campground, and puts on monthly fundraisers to keep Rowley preserved. Trochu Arboretum:Torrington and The Gopher Hole Museum each offer quiet places for a picnic. But if you’re heading to Trochu for the museum as well, make time to plan a stop at the Arboretum. The Trochu Arboretum is a public garden and green space with an impressive amount of plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs. It is great for a quiet walk, a scenic picnic, or family photos. Admission is by donation, and the park is open from dusk to dawn every day.https://www.instagram.com/p/CTD7W1BnMl7/Planning your trip - World Famous Gopher Hole MuseumWhat: The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington offers a unique collection of taxidermized gophers. Each of the gophers is placed in dioramas and dressed for different scenes.Cost: Admission by cash donation[adinserter block="4"][adinserter block="15"]Best time to go: open May-SeptemberLocation and how to get there: 208 1 Street SW, Torrington, ABUse Highways 27 or 21 to access Torrington, east of OldsGopher Hole Museum is located 75 km from Red Deer, 115 km (1 hr 20 minutes drive) from Calgary, and 224 km (2 hrs 30 minutes) from EdmontonFor more informationWorld Famous Gopher Hole MuseumCBC Gem Documentary[pt_view id="0909839ug8" tag="festival-news-alberta,discover-ab" limit=8]

Good Morning #Canada
There are 80-ish residents of Cheadle Alberta, a town named after Walter Butler Cheadle, a British pediatrician who would be among the pioneers of diagnosing the U.K. epidemic of childhood rickets during the Industrial Revolution. For a short period in 2022, they were discovered by Pepsi and became famous for a 5.2 metre tall Cheeto statue, joining the elite ranks of #BigStuffInSmallTowns. Fame is fleeting.

#CanadaIsAwesome #Cheetos
calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-ham

Calgary · Alberta hamlet of Cheadle now home to giant Cheetos statueCheetos has recently unveiled a giant Cheetos statue in Cheadle, Alta.

Good Morning #Canada
Some say that the mosquito is the official bird of Manitoba. So it's not surprising that the largest mosquito in the world is located in Komarno, about 70 km north of Winnipeg. Komarno is Ukrainian for ‘full of mosquitos’. Yes, it's another #BigStuffInSmallTowns post that celebrates the world-famous 4.5 metre long statue of the beloved insect. I know you're itching to visit and stop for a bite.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip
winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-t

Winnipeg · Manitoba town star of insect repellent adMosquitoes - the summer pest that you wish would just go away. But for one small community about an hour north of Winnipeg, the nuisance has put them on the map and caught the eye of a major bug spray brand.

Good Morning #Canada
Apparently, Melita Manitoba is just a few degrees warmer, on average, versus the rest of the province. Locals naturally started referring to Melita as the "Banana Belt of Manitoba." The logical progression of that thinking process would be to erect a 2,800 kilogram, 10 meter tall banana in your downtown. Totally normal.

#CanadaIsAwesome #BigStuffInSmallTowns #Manitoba
mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/sunnybana.

www.mhs.mb.caHistoric Sites of Manitoba: Sunny the Giant Banana Monument (Front Street, Melita)

Good Morning #Canada
Did you know that Altona, Manitoba, is the Sunflower Capital of Canada? It's also the location of today's #BigStuffInSmallTowns because they have a painting of Sunflowers (duh...) on an easel that stands over 23 meters high. It's not an original Van Gogh but a significantly larger depiction of his work. If you're collecting photos of yourself next to oversized roadside attractions, this would make a pretty picture.

#CanadaIsAwesome #RoadTrip
altona.ca/p/van-gogh-s-sunflow

altona.caVan Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’See the world’s largest painting on an easel!Vincent Van Gogh painted a series of seven paintings depicting sunflowers in the late 1800’s, which feature his unique style of abundant light, colours and thick, short brush strokes. Van Gogh saw the sunflower as a symbol of life and hope.During the time that artist and art educator, Cameron Cross, taught in Altona he developed the vision of a giant steel easel displaying a likeness of Van Gogh’s sunflowers.This landmark stands 76’6” high and is on a 3-legged steel easel. It is a symbol of international fine art and celebrates Altona’s reputation as the Sunflower Capital of Canada. Cameron Cross continues to pursue his dream of erecting seven giant Van Gogh sunflower paintings around the world.In 2017 the painting was taken down, completely re-furbished by the original artist Cameron Cross, then re-erected.  It again stands tall and proud against the prairie sky!

Good Morning #Canada
With school out for the summer, #RoadTrip season is heating up, which means you need more #BigStuffInSmallTowns for planning purposes. How about an 8 meter tall Orca near the convention centre in Vancouver, BC. You might think, " I'll wait until it's finished...", but it's supposed to look like that because it's a pixilated Orca. Our west coast has a different vibe, and we love that.

#CanadaIsAwesome #SummerVacation
vancouverconventioncentre.com/

www.vancouverconventioncentre.comDigital Orca - Vancouver Convention CentreThe Vancouver Convention Centre in downtown Vancouver is a beautiful, inspiring event space with an unbeatable waterfront location. Book your next event here!

Good Morning #Canada
#RoadTrip season has only just begun, and there are lots of freakishly large random objects to take a selfie with. This installment of #BigStuffInSmallTowns takes us to Shediac, New Brunswick, the Lobster Capitol of Canada. This means you won't be shocked to find a 90-ton lobster waiting patiently for a photo op. The sculpture is 11 metres long by 5 metres tall, and attracts 500,000 seafood loving tourists annually.

#CanadaIsAwesome #Lobsters
shediac.ca/~shediac/en/enterta

shediac.caThe World's Largest Lobster