Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba
{{About|the town in Manitoba, Canada|the adjoining municipality|Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Lac du Bonnet
|official_name =
|settlement_type = Town
|nickname =
|motto =
|image_skyline = Lac du Bonnet MB 2.jpg
|image_caption = Aerial view of Lac du Bonnet Town, surrounded by Lac du Bonnet RM
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_map = 333 Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba.svg
|mapsize =
|map_caption = Town boundaries
|pushpin_map = Canada Manitoba
|pushpin_mapsize = 200px
|pushpin_label = Lac du Bonnet
|pushpin_label_position =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Canada
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Manitoba
|subdivision_type2 = Region
|subdivision_name2 = Eastman
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Ken Lodge
|leader_title1 = MLA Lac du Bonnet
|leader_name1 = Wayne Ewasko
|leader_title2 = MP Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman
|leader_name2 = James Bezan
|established_title = Incorporated
|established_date = June 16, 1958
|established_title2 =
|established_date2 =
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 2.26
|area_total_sq_mi =
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|population_total = 1064
|population_density_km2 = 470.7
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|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -06:00
|timezone_DST = Central (CDT)
|utc_offset_DST = -05:00
|postal_code_type = Postal code
|postal_code = R0E 1A0
|coordinates = {{coord|50|15|13|N|96|03|38|W|region:CA-MB|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft = 854
|website = {{Official URL}}
|footnotes =
|area_code = 204
}}
Lac du Bonnet is a town in Manitoba, Canada located {{cvt|115|km}} northeast of Winnipeg on the west shore of the Winnipeg River. It is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet. The word "Bonnet" is pronounced by locals as "bonny."Max Finkelstein. Canoeing a Continent: On the Trail of Alexander Mackenzie. Natural Heritage/Natural History, 1984
History
The lake after which Lac du Bonnet takes its name was named by the French explorer and fur trader Pierre Gaultier La Verendrye, {{Circa|1732}}. The shape of the lake, itself part of the Winnipeg River, is said to have reminded him of a bonnet.{{Cite web|url=http://ldbheritage.ca/history/lac-du-bonnet/|title = Lac du Bonnet Area – Lac du Bonnet Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC)}} The name "Lac du Bonnet" appears on a map of the explorer Joseph Derouen as early as 1760.
Beginning in 1926, Lac du Bonnet was home to the #1 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force. As a backup communication system to wireless telephone transmitters, aircraft carried pigeons aboard, and as such a pigeon rookery was established on the air force base. RCAF operations in Lac du Bonnet continued until 1937.{{Cite web|url=http://ldbheritage.ca/history/heritage-sites/|title=Heritage Sites – Lac du Bonnet Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC)}}
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lac du Bonnet had a population of 1,064 living in 496 of its 549 total private dwellings, a change of −2.3% from its 2016 population of 1,089. With a land area of {{cvt|2.26|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|1064|2.26|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000246 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Manitoba | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 20, 2022}}
Attractions and events
On the first of July is a yearly Canada Day parade, with fireworks, carnival rides, car show, and bingo. There are also usually many other community-hosted events.{{Cite web |last=Lac Du Bonnet Tourism |title=Lions Canada Day Weekend Celebrations |url=https://myldb.ca/event/lions-canada-day-weekend-celebrations/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Lac du Bonnet Tourism |language=en-US}}
In November, Christmas-themed lighting is set up on the streets, kids can visit Santa, and a Christmas tree is erected.
There are designated snowmobile trails into Lac du Bonnet and specific areas for snowmobile operators to park, along with five warming shelters. All of the trail maintenance is done by volunteer organizations.
During the weekend in early March, the river is dotted with 1,000 holes for the local ice fishing derby.
The annual Fire & Water Music Festival takes place on August-long weekend. Artists from across the country come to perform their music.{{Cn|date=November 2023}}
First airmail flight
Lac du Bonnet was the location of the first airmail flight in Manitoba, on 4 October 1927. This event is commemorated with a plaque and marker on the E side of Park Avenue by 3rd Street, next to the parking lot. According to the plaque, the flight was some 85lbs of mail, taken from here to Bissett and Wadhope.{{cite web |title=Historic Sites of Manitoba: First Airmail Flight in Manitoba (Lac du Bonnet) |url=http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/firstairmail.shtml |publisher=Manitoba Historical Society |access-date=November 25, 2021}}
File:Vickers_Vedette_Plaque,_Lac_du_Bonnet,_Manitoba.jpg "flying boat" aircraft are installed at the waterfront in the centre of town.]]
Media
= Newspapers =
- Lac du Bonnet Leader, which published its final issue on June 27, 2013{{cite news
|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Lac-du-Bonnet-Beausejour-papers-to-cease-publication-213210021.html
|title=Lac du Bonnet, Beausejour papers to cease publication
|last=Paul
|first=Alexandra
|date=June 26, 2013
|work=Winnipeg Free Press
|access-date=July 4, 2013}}{{cite news
|url=http://eedition.lacdubonnetleader.com/doc/Lac-du-Bonnet-Leader/lac-du-bonnet-leader/2013062701/
|title=Final Edition: Lac du Bonnet Leader ceases publication
|date=June 27, 2013
|work=Lac du Bonnet Leader
|access-date=July 4, 2013}}
- Winnipeg River Echo
- Winnipeg River Clipper Weekly
= Radio and television =
CBWT-2 first went on the air on May 27, 1968. In early 1969, the province-wide microwave system replaced the kine recordings; citizens of Lac Du Bonnet have had live television since this conversion.{{cite news | title = Microwave Hook-Up Gives North Live TV | publisher = Winnipeg Free Press | page = 28| date = April 29, 1969}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.lacdubonnet.com Official site for Lac du Bonnet]
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{{Authority control}}
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