The TC Energy Centre will host the return of the Île-des-Chênes Snowman Festival on Saturday, February 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Residents from Île-des-Chênes and the surrounding area are welcome to join in on the family-friendly fun.
“Outdoor activities will include tobogganing with a huge snow hill outside,” says Amy Allison, assistant facilities manager for TC Energy Centre. “Please bring your own toboggans. There will be snowshoes for people to try, and pony rides by K Family Farm. And Perk will be set up outside for coffee and hot chocolate.”
Inside, guests will be able to take part in carnival games, crafts, cookie decorating, bingo, and facepainting available all day. The morning will feature a storytime area for kids, then a special show with special characters Elsa, Anna, and Olaf at noon.
Indoor bouncy castles, cotton candy, and snow cones will be available starting at 1:00 p.m., with Meet the Firemen beginning at 2:00 p.m.
There will even be beer gardens later in the day. A community crib tournament will take place as well. The tournament will cost $20 to join—and the winner takes all.
The day will conclude with fireworks at 5:45 p.m.
Funnily enough, the one event noticeably absent is anything to do with snowmen.
“It’s just called the Snowman Festival,” says Allison. “In past years, we have had a snowman-building contest during the same week, but not this year. It doesn’t look like we will have the right weather beforehand either for snowman-building, so we kept it out.”
With all the planned activities, it’s hard to imagine more going on, but some locals may notice the absence of a few key elements the event used to featured, such as a dance and a Snow ‘n’ Shine where snowmobile and skidoo enthusiasts can show off their sleds.
“Unfortunately, no show ‘n’ shine this year, because of too many other events going on the same weekend that other people are already in,” says Allison. “And the dance last year wasn’t that popular, so we decided against it. But we have so many more great activities planned!”
Organizers project a very busy day and are hoping for a turnout of more than 300 people.