FORT QU’APPELLE, Sask. – After a long hiatus due to a lack of volunteers, the Fort Qu’Appelle winter festival is back.
The idea started simply enough, according to Mayor Ron Osika.
“One of our councillors, Brian Janz, came up with the idea. Why do we not bring back the winter festival? He recalled, growing up, what a fantastic event it was. It attracted people from all over the province, and in fact other provinces as well.”
After a few years of working out the kinks, the town is now reaping the benefits.
“This is the third year, and it’s bigger and better than before.” Osika said.
He expects more than 2,000 people will take part in the three day event and while he’s unsure of exactly how much revenue it brings in, he knows tourists are coming especially for the festival.
The Huber family attended the festival for the very first time this year.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase Fort Qu’Appelle and the area and just all the fun things you can do in the winter,” said mom, Tina Huber.
Despite a chilly wind whipping across the lake, her children are most excited to watch the motorcycle ice races.
“You take some off-road motorcycles, you jam about 1,000 screws into the tires, and you go have fun! It’s a hoot!,” said race organizer Darwin Janz.
Janz admitted the sport is dangerous, but said the 40 or so competitors are experienced racers, and know how to maneuver the bikes on the terrain.
“Last year we were invited to come out and do this. The festival enjoyed having us and invited us out again,” said Janz.
The festival also featured snowmobiling, snow kiting, sleigh rides, an ice castle, snow slide, maze and various other family friendly events.
13-year-old Alec Guggenmos loves the food-eating contests and the pillow fights.
He also appreciates the sense of community he gets from the festival. “Most of the time there isn’t much to do in the winter. You can always go skiing but then with this, all the town comes together.”
That’s something the mayor hopes will extend throughout the year.
“We are a year-round recreational mecca, truly. We have the Mission Ridge Winter Park in the wintertime, we have the four lakes in the summertime,” Osika said. “It’s a beautiful place to not only work, but to live and play.”