Despite the minus 30C temperatures that began the day on March 2, people in attendance at the Winter Festival were bundled up and ready to enjoy some outdoor fun.
“This is the first Winter Festival held at Duck Mountain Provincial Park, and we hope it will become an ongoing annual event,” said Dayna Guertin, park interpreter since 2012.
Billed as “a park wide winter family fun day,” the Festival was packed with entertaining winter activities.
“It was a cold day at minus 30C with the wind chill, but those that came out for the event were bundled up and ready for the day. Warm up shacks and locations cut the cold and gave people the chance to warm up before heading out for more activities,” Guertin said.
“Our goal was to give people the chance to come out to Duck Mountain and experience all the amazing activities the park has to offer during the winter season. Duck Mountain is very much a four season park.”
Approximately 150 people came out to see what winter at the park is like. Food options available during the day included: a pancake breakfast at Madge Lake Bible Camp; soup and sandwich lunch sponsored by St. Michaels Camp; hot dog roasts; hot beverages served at all locations, and a perogy and sausage supper prepared by St. Michaels Camp.
There were plenty of activities during the day, featuring something for all ages and interests, and they included:
- fur trapping discovery table (manned by local trapper Paul Chernoff and Nathan Dutchak, conservation officer)
- ice fishing demonstration (by Mick Twardoski of Prairie Eye Guiding)
- candied maple syrup (Allen Bennett and Phillip Gemme)
- kids Winter Carnival at Madge Lake Bible Camp
- Bluegrass concert at Madge Lake Bible Camp’s chapel featuring the group “Gospel Plow” from Russell, Man.
- ice cube scavenger hunt
- snowmobile Poker Derby and silent auction with a portion of the proceeds going to Duck Mountain Ski Area
- learn to cross country ski (Kamsack Ski Club)
- tobogganing
- ice skating
- downhill skiing group lessons (Duck Mountain Ski Area.)
“The Festival was a success,” said Guertin. “We would have had a larger attendance if the weather had been better, but those that participated had an awesome time. We had many positive comments.”
“Going forward, the Park, in tandem with the commercial lessees of Madge Lake Developments, St. Michael’s Camp, Madge Lake Bible Camp and the Duck Mountain Ski Area, plan to hold a Winter Festival every year to continue to showcase the many exciting winter activities to be enjoyed in the Park,” said Greg Podovinnikoff, Park superintendent.
“Duck Mountain Provincial Park is a four season resort. We are excited to see people enjoy nature while trying different activities, and we are excited to see this initiative grow.”
