Thursday, February 20, 2020
VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 34
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
Lloyd warms to indoor Winterfest GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Winter forced Winterfest inside the Servus Sports Centre this year, but there were few, if any, complaints during the Family Day event in Lloydminster. More than 4,000 people were expected to enjoy the free indoor activities on the holiday Monday from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. with frigid conditions outside.
“We’re a little disappointed we had to cancel the horse-drawn sleigh rides and also the bonfire, but we still have public skating and shinny on the outdoor skating surface,” said Sandra Brown, recreation programmer, two hours into the event.
Brown headed up the organization team for the City of Lloydminster. “We live on the Prairies; we have lot s of inside activities. We moved everything we possibly could indoors,” she said. “I haven’t seen one frown yet. Everybody’s glad to be active and indoors.” Brown says there were activities for everyone from toddlers to seniors; live entertainment by the Prairie Dogs and lots of sponsored free food. The longest lineup was for a turn at a new Eurobungy activity provided by Party King in Edmonton. “They set up for us
and they can do four at a time. It’s kind of a mix between a trampoline and a bungy,” said Brown.
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We made a lot of our activities more inclusive, so those in wheel chairs—we brought in some activities that they are able to participate in.
There was a mobile axe throwing game and bouncy castles by Axe Rising in Lloydminster and a new “hammer down” relay for families and friends supplied by Relay Distributing. The goal was to see
which team can hammer the nails into a tree stump the fastest. There was also a games and crafts room as well as three-on-three hockey played indoors by Lloydminster minor hockey teams. “We made a lot of our activities more inclusive, so those in wheelchairs—we brought in some activities that they are able to participate in,” said Brown. Brown tips her hat to sponsors including this year’s presenting sponsor, Spectrum Restoration DKI. “We couldn’t do events like this without our volunteers and sponsors,” said Brown, who noted everyone pitches in for the cleanup. Brown called it a wonderful day. “There’s a lot of families that have come out. It’s a way to stay active instead of hibernating indoors,” she said. Geoff Lee Meridian Source Photo Jude Kruining-Domes tries to grab a puzzle piece in an Under the Knife skills booth during Winterfest activities.