The Victoria Day long weekend sees residents of Saskatchewan flock to the cottage and the campground to unofficially kick off summer. Provincial and regional parks are expected to be packed, including Mainprize Regional Park near Midale.

Allan Clark is the park manager at Mainprize. He speculated why the May long weekend is so popular, compared to others.

“It’s just our Saskatchewan winters,” he shared. The excitement to get out and enjoy the nice weather proves to be the key for many, and they flock to get into the sunshine and to catch up with friends.

Many parks, and communities have a host of activities planned for the long weekend, and Mainprize is no exception. Once again, they will be holding their annual pancake breakfast Sunday morning. The breakfast will be at Patterson Place and is free of charge. On Saturday, the Rafferty Reservoir at Mainprize will be the home of a walleye fishing tournament, one of the largest in the province with more than 80 teams expected to enter.

One rule many are reminded of in parks this year, is to check if there is an alcohol ban is in effect. In provincial parks, alcohol is not allowed in the campgrounds on the May long weekend, after a number of incidents in the past. For regional parks, some do have the ban in place. Clark explained there isn’t a ban on alcohol at Mainprize.

“We just ask everybody to please use some common sense, and drink accordingly,” he said, adding he doesn’t want to see anyone drinking and driving.