Although the current cold weather might want to make you curl up and stay home, several communities are throwing their annual winter festivals in the coming days and weeks. The cold is temporary; family fun lasts a lifetime.
St. Adolphe Winter Carnival
This event has been happening since the early 1980s, and offers a variety activities ranging from a kiddie carnival to an adult social, and everything in between.
The carnival technically takes place from February 1–3, but has a special kick-off promotion at A Maze in Corn to start things off on Thursday, January 31. The local company will be offering reduced admission that evening, so people can get in to see the snow maze attraction for just $5. Sleigh rides will be available as well.
Friday night kicks off the official weekend festivities with a pre-teen dance, for students up to Grade Four. The dance begins at 6:00 p.m. at Pioneer Hall, followed by a youth dance, for students between Grades Four and Nine, at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday starts with Hawks Hockey Day at 9:00 a.m., and all of the St. Adolphe Hawks home teams will hit the ice. It’s a great opportunity for the community and players’ families to see all of their kids in action.
The Kiddie Carnival starts mid-morning, where ten different types of carnival games will help kids can earn tickets to win prizes and candy, according to Andrea Vermette, a board member for the St. Adolphe Community Centre.
Saturday afternoon will host a dodgeball game for kids between Grades Six and Nine, as well as the annual cribbage tournament, followed by the Taylor Christensen Memorial Game at the arena at 2:45 p.m., as well as a dodgeball game for those in Grades Two to Five. The evening will wrap up with the adult social, which is denim-themed.
“It will be a good old country social with bar, dancing, DJ, and a wicked silent auction,” says Vermette. “[The] more denim the better.”
Sunday will wrap up the weekend with the curling Fun Spiel at 10:00 a.m. and family bingo at 5:30 p.m. The minimum age for the bonspiel is eight years old and teams can be mixed with any combination of kids and adults of any gender, though it is encouraged that each team have at least one adult player. There will be a maximum of 12 teams, with two pools of six teams.
“Each team will play two four-end games, and the players rotate through every position on the team over the course of the four ends,” says Kerry Schwark, President of the St. Adolphe Curling Club. “It’s a lot of fun and it makes it possible for a completely inexperienced team to win games!”
The only equipment people need to bring is a pair of clean indoor shoes (shoes that have been worn outside cannot be worn on the ice). Curling brooms and sliders are available at the curling rink for people to use and share if they don’t have their own. There will be food available onsite, and the lounge will be open.
St. Adolphe Subway has once again donated prizes for the Fun Spiel. Two teams will win prizes: the team with the highest number of points and the team with the least number of points after all the games have been completed.
Île-des-Chênes Snowman Festival
The third annual Île-des-Chênes Snowman Festival takes place on February 1–2, kicking off with fireworks at Centennial Gravel at 6:15 p.m. There will be a family dance in the evening, which costs $5 per person or $20 per family, hosted by Île-des-Chênes School Parent Council.
Saturday will start with snowshoe races at 10:00 a.m., followed by judging for the chili and pea soup contest. The beer gardens will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the TransCanada Centre, where there will also be a photo booth, bake sale, and 50/50 draw.
Saturday will also feature the Snow & Shine at Garage Inc. at 10:00 a.m., where people can show off their winter transportation machines, such as snowmobiles, ATVs, etc.
“[We] are concentrating on vintage era snowmobiles, but everything is welcome,” says Morgan Dulle, Owner of Garage Inc. “[We accept] entrants of all ages, and trophies will be given out for six different classes.”
Families can take part in face-painting, kids bouncers, carnival games, and arts and crafts throughout the day on Saturday as well.
Niverville Family Snow Day
Niverville Recreation is hosting their yearly Niverville Family Snow Day on Saturday, February 23 from 11 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Niverville Arena. Activities include free speed skating from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., where coaches from the Manitoba Speed Skating Association will be on hand to help. Public skating on the outdoor rink will also be available, or you can try your hand at snowshoeing.
Warm up afterward by heading into the south end of the arena for hot chocolate and a winter craft.
