Heritage Day was one of celebration at Fort Calgary.
Along with face painting, a treasure hunt, and the birthday party of a 100-year-old windmill, families took in the unveiling of a handcrafted carousel RCMP horse yesterday afternoon.
The young male horse was carved by RCMP veteran of 27 years and Fort Calgary volunteer Dal Langenberger, 76.
“I wanted a horse with zip, that looked alive and ambitious,” said Langenberger, who used planks of eastern poplar and a gallon of glue to create the representation. “The ears, eyes, and location of the head have a lot to do with that.”
Between last fall and March, Langenberger estimates he spent at least 600 hours carving, coating, and sanding the approximately 250 pound horse.
Fort Calgary is asking the public to suggest names for the horse, and items that should be included in its time capsule, which will be opened on the 200th Anniversary of Fort Calgary in 2075, according to Sara-Jane Gruetzner of Fort Calgary.
Fort Calgary is open year-round, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
