Winter festival takes over community centre

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
The sites and sounds of Winter Festival are returning this Saturday to the Claresholm Community Centre after a two-year hiatus.
The last festival was held in February of 2020, mere weeks before the pandemic descended, and shutting done the event last year.
Now, Winter Festival is back in full force this Saturday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
David Poulsen, the town’s engagement coordinator, is one of the main organizers of Winter Festival and he says there is a lot to see and do – both indoors and outside.
“We’re hoping for perfect weather,” he said with a smile. “Snow on the ground, but warm.”
Outdoors, there will be a sno-pitch tournament at Moffat Park Ball Diamond west of the community centre. The game brings all the fun and excitement of slow pitch but on a snow-covered field, bringing new meaning to the phrase “sliding into second”.
Anyone interested in more information can contact Denise Spencer at 403-625-2172.
Back at the community centre, an outdoor road hockey rink will be made out of straw bales in the parking lot, for anyone to drop in and play a little road hockey.
The Claresholm Fire Department will also be on hand to look after an outdoor fire pit where everyone is welcome to gather around.
Filling the air all day will be the sounds of music on an outdoor stage and a beer gardens for people to enjoy.
Poulsen noted there will be entertainment both outside and inside, organized by local entertainer Gaven Moore. If weather does not permit outdoor performances, the entertainment will all be inside the community centre.
The day will open with Mayor Chelsae Petrovic officially opening Winter Festival on the outdoor stage at 11 a.m., and welcoming everyone.
The featured entertainer, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., will be Trevor Panczak, an award winning country music entertainer from southern Alberta.
There will also be a lot of local acts. Outdoors, taking the stage, will be Who’s on Second; Cody Hall; Charlie Ewing; Skye-Anna highland dancing; and Who’s on Second for another round. Entertainment runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Meanwhile inside, Shelly Hughes and Rod Venables; Larry Ford; Rosemary Wishart and Arnold McAulay; and the SUCH (Stavely’s Unique Character House) Drama group will be taking the stage from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
During breaks in the action, John DeDominicis will be providing
using his sound system to provide music.
Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services will be holding a scavenger hunt starting at 11:15 a.m. The mayor has challenged her counterparts with the Municipal District of Willow Creek to see who finishes first, so the stakes are high.
Inside the community centre, the Claresholm and District Museum will be offering a photo booth in the foyer. They will have cardboard cut-outs, on a transportation theme, for people to pose with.
The Kinette Club of Claresholm is offering a Kids Zone in the lodge room with games and more, while an artisan handmade market will take over the main hall.
When people are looking for something to eat, the Claresholm Lions Club will be offering beef on a bun from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will also be two food trucks outside.
Once everyone has enjoyed the day’s activities, they can settle down to a movie in the community centre, presented by the Claresholm Arts Society.
While people take in the show “Cruella”, they can also enjoy popcorn and snacks.
Then, when the sun goes down, the finale for the entire day takes place. At around 8 p.m., fireworks will fill the night-time sky.
So Poulsen invites everyone down to the community centre on Saturday. “There’s going to be lots of entertainment,” he said. “People want to get out and have fun.”