May Long weekend marks the start of summer for Manitobans. After six long months of huddling inside, we look forward to this time of year when we can finally pack up the car, bring out the flipflops, and kick off our first weekend away.

As we know all too well, May Long likely looks a little different this year. Social distancing measures and business closures might seem to be putting a damper on our plans, but that doesn’t mean our weekend has to be any less enjoyable. Here are some fun things to consider when deciding what to do with your long weekend in isolation.

Bring the patio to you with cocktails from your favourite summer spots

Pineridge Hollow, a hot weather hot spot for Interlakers, has recently added sangria kits to its grocery and delivery curbside pickup program.

These easy to make concoctions come in two flavours, Cucumber Watermelon and Prairie Berry, and come with all the ingredients you need to make a restaurant-rated sangria from your back yard.

Turn your barbecue into a five-star restaurant

While we may not opt to head to a public patio, that doesn’t mean we can’t have an awesome outdoor dining experience. Turn up the heat on your usual dinner routines by sparking up the grill and enjoying exciting local flavours in your back yard.

Canadian company Canola Eat Well has dozens of easy summer recipes to make eating at home feel a little more exciting.

Grilled peach and corn salad with Cajun shrimp sounds like summer in a bowl and takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, honey and lime marinated pork chops will have your neighbours salivating down the street, and chocolate & grilled pineapple dessert pizza will totally expand your barbecue horizons.

Transform your back yard into a social media-worthy sanctuary

It doesn’t officially feel like summer until we step outside and see green. With garden centres and greenhouses fully operational, we can dive into our lawn projects that so many of us enjoy creating.

The Government of Manitoba provides an entire online guidebook that covers gardening basics. Learn which seeds you should plant this weekend, how to deal with water runoff from your lawn, or check out examples of how to make your garden feel like a tropical oasis.

Dine out, in

If your idea of a great long weekend doesn’t involve labour of any form, our local restaurants have you covered with delicious delivery and pickup options.

Peasant Cookery is all about fresh food from the land, and serving you from a distance is no problem for them! It recently introduced Peasant Pantry, an online store offering both pre-selected grocery packages and à la carte items.

This weekend, Peasant’s offering a Burgers & Beers package that includes six select local craft beers, fully-stacked burgers for four, and potato salad.

Earls Kitchen + Bar is also offering everything from at-home recipes, grocery pick ups, and delivery options. This weekend marks the arrival of Earls BBQ Packs, loaded with all the essentials for your backyard barbecue including Earls Ribs, BBQ sauce, burgers, sliders, and more.

Roxi’s by the Red Uptown Cafe in Selkirk is a regional favourite that continues to serve up deliciousness to its loyal customers. Fall-off-the-bone ribs, fish n’ chips, famous Roxi’s desserts, and alcoholic beverages are available for pickup and delivery.

Lose yourself in a great book

Whether you’re a frontline worker honourably putting in the extra hours, a parent taking on the role of teacher and stay-at-home parent, or someone who’s just adjusting to a complicated COVID-related lifestyle, we all know how good it can feel to mentally escape. And what better way to lose yourself than in a solid page-turner.

McNally Robinson stores are open once again, offering curbside pickup for those who want to grab a weekend read. 

Kick back in the sun and listen to Lucinda Williams’ new album

William’s album Good Souls Better Angels released just a couple weeks ago and makes for a great soundtrack to letting loose and embracing the weekend vibes. Download the album and let it play as you soak your toes in the kiddy pool.

We’re all trying to make the best out of unfortunate circumstances, and it’s become clear that all Manitobans are reaching out to support one another. Here’s to having a wonderful, healthy long weekend!