First month-long Winter Fest kicks off in Fort St. John with huskies, s’mores and sleigh rides

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John’s month-long Winter Fest kick-off event saw horse-drawn sleigh rides, Siberian huskies, a petting zoo, outdoor skating, hockey, free hot chocolate and s’mores. 

The launch ran from 11 a.m. to 3 pm in Kin Park on February 1st, where the community gathered to have fun with some outdoor winter activities.

Winter Fest is the reincarnation of the High on Ice festival, which previously ran for three days over the Family Day weekend each year. It returned this year as Winter Fest with a month-long schedule of activities. 

David Green, recreation programmer for the City of Fort St John, said: “We wanted something for the community to do throughout the whole month of February, with lots of fun stuff for people to do and enjoy their weekend, take a break from work, slow down and have some fun and some hot chocolate.

“Make sure to go online and check out the calendar of everything happening, and a big thank you to all the sponsors who help put this on.” 

In a video posted to Facebook, Lilia Hansen, mayor of Fort St. John, said: “Winter Fest is a month-long celebration of our northern spirit, creativity and community pride.”

A popular attraction at the kick-off event was a chance to meet and take pictures with huskies from Snowy Dreams Siberian kennel. 

Jason Kube, volunteer and father of the owner of the huskies, said: “The weather seems pretty good, it’s nice to see people you haven’t seen in a while and they’re good dogs, they’re local, and who doesn’t love a lovable fuzzy husky?”

Horse-drawn sleigh rides were provided by the Northern Horse and Mule Harness Association.

Brian Dunn, a member of the association, told Energeticcity.ca that every year he looks forward to this show, because it’s “fun for the people, fun for the club, fun for the horses and the kids enjoy the ponies.”

There are more than 50 activities taking place throughout the whole month for Winter Fest, including professional ice carving, outdoor glow skating, the annual Crystal Cup Pond Hockey tournament and the popular ice slides. 

There are also some free classes, free snowshoe rental and ‘freeze the fines’ at the library.

An attendee at the launch of Winter Fest, Jane Sheldon, said: “I pretty much go every winter to the ice carvings and some of the different events.

“It gets people out, and this has been an extremely cold and snowy winter, so it’s really good to get people out cause if you’re dressed and you’re moving, it’s fine.”

Another attendee, Lennie Lanzar, told Energeticcity.ca: “Winter Fest is really fun for the kids especially, it’s fun that the kids can go outside and not stay home all the time.

“It’s the perfect time to be outside. My highlight is the horse-drawn sleigh ride.

“…[Winter Fest] is really nice for family bonding, meeting friends and trying something new.”

The Fort St John Winter Fest is made possible thanks to the community effort, volunteers and sponsors, including Pacific Canbriam Energy, MNP, Urban Systems, Peace Country Rentals, Northern Lights College and more. 

All the Winter Fest events are available to view on an online calendar.