By Aidan Cloet

In the heart of The Forks on the Assiniboine River, The Festi-Bar – hosted by Festival du Voyageur officially opened on Wednesday. The opening marks the beginning of Festival du Voyageur celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Festi-Bar will also be serving Caribou – a combination of wine, whiskey and sugar or maple syrup – a staple of Festival du Voyageur.


Winnipeggers can purchase hot drinks along with cold beers. Drinks can also come in mugs made out of ice.

This will be the first year an outdoor bar has been created, and was a group initiative between The Forks & Sputnik Architecture.

For twenty years, Luca Roncoroni, an Italian-born ice designer has been sculpting ice for various projects. Being a part of this project marks his 6th time working for The Forks and Festival du Voyageur.

The Festi-Bar will remain open throughout Festival du Voyageur and aims to encourage Winnipeggers to celebrate the outdoors, despite the cold weather.