Manitoba Mascots Trivia Quiz

Answer: A bull

Arthur the bull is named after a former mayor of the town of Russell. Arthur Kinney, the man, was instrumental in developing the annual Beef and Barley festival for which Russell has become well known. The mascot itself sits beside the tourist information booth on the outskirts of town to welcome visitors to the community.

Answer: Flin Flon

Created by American cartoonist Al Capp, a 24 foot statue of the character from the novel greets visitors to Flin Flon. It is certainly the town's most recognizable mascot, even winning a provincial contest for best roadside attraction.

Answer: Sara the Camel

A four square kilometre area of southern Manitoba covered by shifting sand dunes and flora such as cacti, acts as a desert-type zone. Sufficient rainfall prevents the area from truly being designated a "desert", however. Hiking is excellent in the area and visitors can visit a geological marvel called "the devil's punchbowl".

Answer: Gladstone

First, the small settlement was called "Third Crossing" because it was the third point where a trail crossed the Whitemud River. Then, as more settlers arrived, it was called Palestine. Finally, in 1879, it was renamed "Gladstone" in honour of British prime minister William Ewart Gladstone, a major political figure of the era.

Answer: Viking

Gimli, Manitoba is home to the largest population of Icelanders outside of Iceland itself. The town was established in 1875 as a reserve for Icelanders fleeing poor living conditions at home. To this day, you can hear Icelandic spoken in town. There is an Icelandic cultural festival held in the community each year which attracts people from many parts of the world.

Answer: Banana

Melita, Manitoba very frequently boasts the warmest temperatures in the province although it is hardly a tropical climate. Sunny The Banana, erected in 2010 in recognition of the fact that the media started calling Melita "the banana belt" due to its temperatures being often higher than other Manitoban areas, stands at 30 feet tall and weighs 6,200 pounds.

Answer: Turtle

Located just north of the Turtle Mountains, Boissevain held a turtle race for many years, beginning in 1972, which attracted international attention. Only Western Painted Turtles were eligible to race which is what Tommy the Turtle at Boissevain is. The $10,000 statue was the idea of local businessmen to entice visitors to their town.

Answer: Alpine Archie

The statue of Archie was commissioned by the people of McCreary in 1978 due nearby Brandon hosting the Canada Winter Games in February of 1979. Mount Agassiz ski resort, now closed, at McCreary was to be the host of the Alpine skiing events so they wanted a suitable mascot to showcase their area and attract visitors to their town.

Answer: Catfish

Chuck the channel catfish was named after Chuck Norquay, a local fisherman who successfully promoted Selkirk as the Catfish Capital of the world. In part, this recognition was due to American fisherman Babe Winkelman filming an episode of his show on the Red River with Chuck Norquay.

They pulled in 200 lbs of catfish, officially letting people all over the world know that Selkirk is the place for catfish.

Answer: Hockey stick

The population of Gilbert Plains is a mere 770, but the town boasts a lovely 18-hole golf course and the surrounding area's scenery is breathtaking. In 1997, when the mascot was created, townsfolk wanted to pay homage not only to golf, but also to Canada's national winter sport - hockey.