We were headed to see a very large Coffee Pot, but when we arrived we found that at this roadside rest stop has a bonus sculpture. But first, the coffee pot…

Located on highway 11 halfway between Regina and Saskatoon is a 24 foot tall sculpture of a coffee pot. The pot is intended to symbolize the “warmth and hospitably” of the 1,200 person town of Davidson. It’s not the “World’s Largest” according to the World Record Academy. That accolade falls to “The Koontz Coffee Pot” in Bedford County in Pennsylvania. That coffee pot is 18 feet tall and 22 feet in diameter, and has a capacity of 819,000 eight-ounce cups of coffee.

The “bonus sculpture” is known as The Métis Fiddler. The sculpture is not world’s largest but one that speaks to the fur trade history of Saskatchewan.

The fur trade industry was extremely active in the late 1700’s, long before Canada expanded west and the province of Saskatchewan was formed. The Métis are an indigenous people of Canada that originated from the offspring of European fur traders and First Nations women. Métis Crossing provides a much better explanation of their origins.

A small sign near this sculpture provides this interpretation.

This fur trader knows that when winter arrives, there will be old time dances, reels and Red River Jigs, all the traditional Metis dances. Lots to eat and drink and all to the tune of the fiddler’s play.

We love the fiddler’s jaunty stance and can imagine community gatherings with dancing and food.

We love visiting Roadside Attractions such as this, and discovering the origin and spirit of the communities. Some very talented people took the time and energy to create this welcoming art for us to see, and which the community now maintains.

Next stop is Saskatoon.