If you are looking for some frosty family fun this January, then the ATCO Gas Cochrane WinterFest may be just the event for you.
The annual festival put on by Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES) is back for its sixth year Jan. 25 with a few changes to their celebration of the snowy season.
“It builds on community spirit,” said Marni Fedeyko, who for the first year is helping to direct the event with CAES. “We’re trying to get more families involved in just being outdoors and being physically active.”
She said they decided to switch the day of which they hold the festival from Saturday to Sunday, a day that seemed to work better for families to attend the event.
Another change is that it will be held at a different venue this year, moving from the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds to Mitford Park, a space that is a bit more open, according to Fedeyko.
Another exciting new addition Fedeyko mentioned is a large tent for the festival that CAES has purchased. It is shaped like an igloo with LED lights that change colour with heating inside.
The day will kick off with a pancake breakfast starting at 11:30 a.m. in the tent. Throughout the day, Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours will offer dogsledding, pony rides for the kids, outdoor games and ice carvers.
After the breakfast, 4Cats Art Studio will be in the tent doing some artwork with kids.
There will also be a lot of action on the ice rink as well. Fedeyko said one half will be dedicated to public skating (wearing a helmet is necessary), and the other half will have on-ice demonstrations, including ringette, the Cochrane Generals and figure skating demos.
Fedeyko said they would also have a snow sculpting competition where businesses, non-profits or other groups can sponsor a mound of snow for $100 and decorate it any way they want – whether that is making a snow fort, snowman or even adding colours to the snow. There will be a vote and a prize will be awarded to the top pick.
The ATCO stage will also be set up at the event with performances that are yet to be announced.
The Tankard Cup from the Tim Hortons’ Brier will be onsite and people will be able to take pictures.
The event is $10 per family, which includes the pancake breakfast. For more information visit cochraneevents.ca or email [email protected].
