With the thermometer topping four degrees and a slew of games to join in, Feb. 16 was a Saturday to remember.
For the 2013 edition of Winterfest over 100 people, from tots to adults, came to have a little fun and taste some delicious food.
ìIt was warm for the first time in a couple years,î said Tara Wells, community services department manager. ìIt was just a great family event.î
The festivities, held outside the Lincoln Street Recreation Centre, featured snow painting, chili, minigolf and bigfoot races among other events.
ìWe had all sorts of different activities going on,î she said.
The day started out with several hours of shinny on the outdoor ice rink.
The toboggan pull races set a new precedent as teams battled it out by racing around a pylon while tugging a sled.
ìIt was the first year the public works team didn't enter,î she said ìand it was the first year the public works team didn't win.î
The bigfoot races featured ìginormous feetî you strap on, making it impossible to run at full tilt in your teams of three.
The Toad and Turtle of Red Deer donated chili to add to the family fun.
Another interesting event was the winter tag game. Participants had to race around on a circular track trying to avoid the ìitî person.
ìIf you go off the track you're ëit,'î she explained.
A highlight of the day for many was certainly the ice cream making portion.
ìWe made ice cream in little bags,î she said. ìThis was literally in zip-lock bags.î
You start out with two separate bags, one filled with salt, the other filled with the necessary ingredients. You fill the bag of salt with snow. Next you put the second bag inside the first and start ìchurningî your future food.
ìYou squish it around for 10 minutes and you've got ice cream,î she said. ìIt was a lot of fun.î
Proceeds from the concession will be donated to the youth club.
