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Supplied: City of Grande Prairie
By Abby Zieverink
Walkable winter festival

Grande North Winter Festival coming to Grande Prairie in January

Nov 25, 2021 | 3:18 PM

The first-ever Grande North Winter Festival will be kicking off in Grande Prairie this January and is set to transition the downtown core into a walkable winter festival for three days.

The festival is part of a partnership between the City of Grande Prairie and Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association, which looks to showcase the Swan City with a variety of activities throughout downtown from January 14 to 16.

The city says activities will be centered around ice and snow, in an effort to embrace the northern winters and provide residents with an event to look forward to during the winter season.

Mayor Jackie Clayton hopes the festival will encourage community connection.

“The city is proud and extremely excited to introduce the Grande North Winter Festival this year. The event is the first of its kind in the community, and a unique and collaborative approach to warm up the community this winter.”

Highlights of activities for the festival include a combination of paid admission and free, family-centered activities, including:

  • A free skating oval, crokicurl rink, ice slide, live music and DJs and cultural performances at the Montrose Cultural Centre
  • Sleigh rides and skating in Muskoseepi Park
  • Francophone Association toffee making at multiple locations
  • Indigenous artisan sales and buskers
  • Licensed ice gardens with ice carving, food, and beverage at the Bonnetts Energy Centre
  • Storm Home games Friday and Saturday night
  • Live music at the Bowes Event Centre both nights including: The Legendary Life of Tom Petty featuring Clayton Bellamy, McKindred, The Wild, The Standstills, and The Northblood

“We look forward to seeing the whole community come out to connect and take part in the various festivities taking place across the weekend to meet everyone’s interests,” added Clayton.

by Abby Zieverink