The rather frigid sub-zero temperatures were not enough to deter many people from attending the recent family-friendly WinterFest at the Sundre and District Museum.
“It went very well,” said Darlene Temple, a volunteer organizer with the museum as well as a past executive director, about the 25th annual community event held Feb. 16-17.
“We had lots of positive comments saying it ran very smoothly.”
Despite having to cancel the traditional wagon rides because of the conditions, which left some visitors a bit disappointed, there was still a good turnout of a little more than 400 people throughout the weekend, she said.
“We couldn’t have the horses out there when it was that cold.”
Considering the extremely chilly weather, Temple said she was pleased to see so many people still dropping by, and expressed her appreciation.
“It was nice that people still came out.”
Aside from the cancelled wagon rides, just about everything else went ahead as planned, although only one of four originally anticipated chainsaw woodcarvers was able to attend to demonstrate the craft. The three who cancelled for personal reasons, are from Calgary and Cochrane, but they hope to come out next year, she said.
Other demonstrations, including live musical performances, went ahead as anticipated at the museum, she added.
While there were not enough vendors to fill up both anticipated venues — the Sundre Elks Hall and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church — the farmers market did end up filling up the former quite nicely, she said.
The pegboard fundraiser had plenty of participation, she said, with Dick and Shirley Ross winning a drill set and impact wrench donated by Home Hardware. Bailey Hengen took home the wooden toy motorbike rocking chair and Garry Vooys claimed a supper at Schott’s Lake. Liam Hengen walked away with a charger and booster system contributed by Bumper to Bumper.
That raised about $500 for the museum, with entry fees — which this year included access to the world of wildlife exhibit — also generating some additional dollars for an estimated total of about $1,300. Grant funding offset the overall cost, meaning most of the proceeds raised will go back to the museum, she said.
A few books of raffle tickets were also sold over the weekend. The fundraiser that features five, $1,000 draws continues until the museum’s pioneer village opens in May, she said, adding anyone who might be interested in getting one can stop by the museum during regular hours.
With WinterFest wrapped up for another year, the museum will be in a bit of a lull until things pick up again in the spring, she said.
Meanwhile, the museum could always use more volunteers, and Temple extends an invitation to anyone who wants to get involved.
