There’s no better place to be than outside on the Labour Day Weekend, and the provincial government will again be encouraging that.

The Manitoba government will be offering free entry to all provincial parks for the weekend, from Friday to Monday.

“Free park entry weekends provide an opportunity for all Manitobans to enjoy our natural, cultural and historical sites in provincial parks,” Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said in a release on Friday. “Manitoba summers are a wonderful time to get outdoors, so I encourage everyone to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Regular camping fees will still apply to the weekend, however.

The province noted several interpretive programs to take advantage of in different provincial parks this weekend. The list includes an amphitheatre presentation on furs and trapping at Birds Hill Provincial Park, guided tours of historic houses at St. Norbert Provincial Park, a star-gazing party at Spruce Woods Provincial Park with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and migrating geese viewing opportunities at the Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary in Whiteshell Provincial Park.

The province is hoping that the end of summer holidays does not stop people from visiting the provincial parks. Numerous park campsites, cabins, and yurts remain open into the fall, even as late as Thanksgiving. The list of campgrounds open in the fall can be found at www.manitobaparks.com.

Teachers are also encouraged to book free interpretive programs for their classes in the fall and winter at Birds Hill, Spruce Woods, and Whiteshell provincial parks.

The province took the opportunity to remind people of being safe with fires, given the raging wildfires in northern Manitoba. Starting fires is only permitted in designated fire pits.

jfriesen@postmedia.com