The festival continues and will be just as big as other years, according to organizers.
The 9th annual WinterFest will kick off Feb. 28 at Mitford Pond with five hours of family-filled fun, hosted by the Cochrane and Area Event Society (CAES) and mainly sponsored by ATCO Gas.
“This is a great opportunity for people to get out with their family for an affordable day – (and) it won’t be scaled down this year,” said Ronnie Knowles, CAES president.
From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. locals and guests are invited to Cochrane for a full day of entertainment, interactive games and other various activities. The day will start with a free pancake breakfast, put on by the Cochrane Lions Club with a maple syrup station, followed by 16 available interactive family games, live entertainment from the Cochrane Generals, Cochrane Ringette Association, and Cochrane Glee Club, along with pony rides, art classes, human curling and a farm, to name a few.
Organizers said there were discussions in January on whether or not to hold the event when it appeared that sponsorship was low, but in the end the committee made the executive decision to host the 9th annual WinterFest.
“The biggest thing is the social interaction – this is for people who might have just moved here and might only know the people on their street. This is an opportunity for different people in the community to get involved,” Knowles explained.
Typically, WinterFest is attended by many Cochranites, including the mayor and councillors in previous years, according to organizers.
And with the event in the ninth year, Knowles said organizers have been learning how to make the event bigger and better every year. Traditionally held at the rodeo grounds, WinterFest moved to Mitford Pond last year and has become more “family-focused” in the last couple of years.
“What we do with WinterFest over the years is every year you learn more and more – this town’s demographic now are families, the event is designed basically for them,” Knowles said.
WinterFest has also been moved to a later date in February, as to not have too many big events close to each other, with Cochrane’s other major winter event, the Kimmett Cup, at the end of January.
So what else will be new this year?
A dozen new interactive games for children and families, and a barn replacing the ice sculptor (due to weather).
“Last year the ice sculptor was going as fast as he could because the warm weather was melting his ice, so we wanted to avoid that this year,” Knowles explained.
Organizers want to thank sponsors for making WinterFest possible this year, and every year.
“It’s been tough times in Alberta and when these businesses step up and sponsor us, that is how we are able to make it happen,” Knowles said.
The festival happens Feb. 28 at Mitford Pond from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with admission $5 per adult and no admission for kids 12 and under. Once admission is paid, all games and activities are free. Snacks, such as cotton candy and candy apples, will be available for purchase.
“I would like perfect weather,” Knowles said with a laugh. “But I think that is the spirit of the West, is no matter what the weather throws at us, we will come out. So I just hope that it is a nice day and I know we are going to have lots of things to do.”
For more information visit cochraneevents.ca or email [email protected]
