Winterfest triumphantly returns

After a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Winterfest returned to the Bridge River Valley on February 19. The annual celebration is held on Little Gun Lake and includes pond hockey, curling, ice fishing, scavenger hunt, snowmobile poker run, raffles, helicopter rides, concession and more.

“The goals for Winterfest 2022 were more than achieved,” said Patrick Dahle, president, Bridge River Valley Community Association. “We had 300 attendees and, more importantly, the event contributed to the area’s civic mental health after two years of isolation.”

To assist with the costs of advertising and hosting Winterfest, the Bridge River Valley Community Association successfully applied for a $2,500 Fabulous Festivals and Events grant from Northern Development.

Although free to attend, Winterfest stimulates the local and regional economy by increasing visitation to the area during the tourism shoulder season, benefiting businesses connected to the hospitality industry. According to organizers, this event has also been a contributing factor in growing the local population as it has made people aware of what the community offers year-round.

Funding for this festival, and other events in the Trust’s service region, came from the Fabulous Festivals and Events grant program. This program accepts applications throughout the year, so event organizers do not need to wait for an intake to close before learning if their application was successful.