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Winterfest has evolved over the years

Sundre's annual Winterfest, hosted by the Sundre & District Historical Society, has evolved over the years. The 10th annual event was expected to occur at the museum grounds over the weekend, with several activities for families to enjoy.

Sundre's annual Winterfest, hosted by the Sundre & District Historical Society, has evolved over the years.

The 10th annual event was expected to occur at the museum grounds over the weekend, with several activities for families to enjoy.

Ice carving was planned to be the focus of this year's event, according to Darlene Smee, manager of the museum.

It was Morton Burke, owner of the Bergen Rocks collection, who started the event 10 years ago, which was actually called Ice, Wood and Fire, she said.

ìIt was actually a bigger ice-carving event,î said Smee, noting that a group of artists would get together and create ice sculptures.

ìMorton Burke was the one that got it off the ground with the first couple years,î she said.

ìOnce we lost them, that's when we kind of lost the ice-carving part of it. So that's why we would like to get that part back because it was a big part of the event.î

There used to be barrels set up with fires going to keep people warm, and David Todd from Otter Pottery would create pottery in an outdoor kiln.

For the last couple of years, members of the society have tried to make the event more of an ice-carving event, like it was when it started.

But Smee says there is a cost to bring high-profile ice carvers to Sundre to attend the event.

ìBut we would be happy if even local people would be interested in giving it a try,î she said.

ìThere may be some that have done it before, but we don't know who those people are.î

Members of the society are always open to new ideas for the event and welcome residents to bring them forward.

ìIt's just a time for families to come out and spend time together, since it is the Family Day long weekend.î

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