For years amidst the post-Christmas blues, bills and getting back to routine, the City of Chestermere has always held Winterfest. For the past couple of months the rumours have been flying surrounding the cancellation of this annual event. But, a rumour is exactly what that was.
City of Chestermere events coordinator, Nancie Huneault, has confirmed that Winterfest is still very much alive and well and let us in on a few of the plans that are in the works for the new and improved Winterfest.
“Winterfest is still here. We’ve been looking at it for quite a while as the attendance is not where we would like to see it for the percentage of the population that shows up, we were feeling that we could probably change the event and create it into something that engaged more of the population”, said Huneault.
The event coordinator goes on to explain that it is hoped that the event will now tie into a time of year that will bring people out more and the event will be tied into the turning on of the lights that the City displays in Anniversary Park, John Peake Park and other areas of the city.
Although Winterfest has never been categorized as a Christmas event, moving it to early December will still keep it in the spirit it has always been done – a celebration of winter and all that the city has to offer during those chilly months. “We’re going to have a big kick off with the lights being turned on – of which we plan on increasing the light display in the park. People can walk through the park and we will have fire spinners, a lantern walk and some of our favourites from the past events like sleigh rides and the straw maze. We’re really encouraging the community to come outside and enjoy winter”, added Huneault.
The event will also have hot chocolate, live entertainment, and the finale will be a fireworks display which never disappoints. “It’s an opportunity for people to come out and enjoy something we already have in place and are going to build on which is the illuminating to the park. We’ll have fire pits set up and warming tents where people can go to warm up and food trucks will be on hand. We have some really unique things coming. We really want to create that whole feeling of people coming out and enjoying the whole winter experience”.
Many cities and towns in Alberta hold an event to kick off the winter season with a lightening ceremony or a tree lighting, but Huneault says that the city is really going to take ownership of this event and make it unique to Chestermere. “With the new and improved ‘Winterfest’ we are open to ideas. So if people have seen something in other communities or just have a really cool idea, they should definitely let us know,” added Megan Matthies, Corporate Communications Strategist with the City of Chestermere.
As this is still in the early concept stage, Huneault says that they are unsure if they will continue to call the event ‘Winterfest’. “We want it to be separate from a ‘Christmas’ event so the name will likely reflect more about winter and the lighting of our city”.
“We want to hear from the community if anyone is interested in volunteering, or want to have a role in the event, please contact me”, added Huneault.
If you wish to get involved or have any ideas for the event, please contact Nancie Huneault at 403-207-7051.
