Winterfest 2020 is a little more than a month away. The carnival, which has been running for 48 years, celebrating the North and its traditional and non-traditional winter activities, runs Feb. 21-23. There’ll be family and individual events for Including a bonfire, live entertainment, free hot chocolate and fireworks to kick the weekend off.
City of Thompson event co-ordinator Darlene Dick said this year’s festivities will include new and returning activities.
“We will be doing a food drive again,” she said. “We call it Feed the Hunger. We are asking people to bring in non-perishable donations of breakfast items that will be donated to the Salvation Army food bank.”
The Boreal Discovery Centre and the Manitoba Metis Federation will be hosting outdoor activities on Feb. 22 from 1-4 p.m.
“That’ll be snowshoeing, tug of war, ring toss, campfire, animal calls, crafts, pelts and some paw prints available for viewing,” Dick said. “They have a passport that they give to the kids, and you get stamped for each activity that you participate in. There will also be hot dogs and hot chocolate for a minimal fee. That’s the only thing that costs money all weekend.”
Children’s performer Mr. Mark is also on the agenda.
“He has worked with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra,” Dick explained. “He’s bringing his talents to Thompson, and will be performing on Saturday. There will be fireworks on Friday night with moose nose soup. We will be offering free skates in the arena throughout the weekend, and curling, as well as a free pancake breakfast on Sunday.”
Winterfest partners include the Hello Parents Network, which is holding their Family Literacy Day with a teddy bear picnic and crafts and sponsoring a Saturday afternoon performance of Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess.
“There’s also a new skating oval that we have,” said Dick. “A snow stage will be set up, and a warm-up area. There’s also a snow sculpture contest. This year’s theme for the contest is Manitoba 150. We are also doing a display of Winterfest past. So, we are asking the community for memorabilia from past winter carnivals that we can display in our trophy case.”
Stay tuned to the city's website and Facebook page for Winterfest updates. To participate in the planning committee, or to volunteer, please call Darlene Dick at 204-677-7969.
