Mother Nature was a sweetheart as hundreds of residents took in the Flin Flon area’s most aptly titled winter celebration over the weekend.
The 13th Annual Bust the Winter Blues Festival offered everything from horse-drawn wagon rides and snowshoe races to fireworks and ice fishing.
“Overall it was amazing,” said Caitlin Bailey, an organizer and recreation programmer for the City of Flin Flon. “All I’ve heard from everyone is that it’s the most people they’ve seen out probably in the past 10 years, which was great.”
Another organizer, Town of Creighton recreation director Channa Senyk, said the pleasant weather bolstered the turnout.
Festival events included Friday’s free swim at the Aqua Centre, free skate at the Sportex and the Kinette Club’s ever-popular Trivia Night at the RH Channing Auditorium.
Saturday brought snowshoe races, horse-drawn wagon rides and other family-friendly fun in and around the Rotary Wheel.
Meanwhile, the Border Explorers Snowmobile Club hosted its Frozen Aces Poker Derby, with 53 riders taking part.
Seniors’ cards, fireworks over Creighton and the Mardi Gras Family Fun Night at the Creighton Community Hall rounded out the day.
Sunday saw 80 anglers hit the frozen surface of Phantom Lake, dropping their lines into pre-drilled holes. Few fish were biting, but no one seemed the least bit bothered.
More cards, both at the Creighton Seniors’ Centre and the Friendship Centre, brought the festival to a close.
The Bust the Winter Blues Festival is a partnership between the City of Flin Flon, Town of Creighton and the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre.
Results
Family Fishing Derby: Colin Woods (36-inch jackfish), first; Cora Anaka (27.5-inch jackfish), second; Cora Anaka, 2, youngest angler; Millie Harvie and Tina Tait, toonie parade winners.
Snowshoe races, ladies: Trina Bear, first; Sandra St. Pierre, second; Sharon Carmichael, third.
Snowshoe races, men: Nathan Williams, first; Thomas Stanley Jones, second; Brandon Burden, third.
Snowshoe races, ages 10-12: Alyssa Andres, first; Torri Bjarnason, second; Naomi Dickens, third.
Snowshoe races, ages 7-9: Electa Dean-Asmus, first; Raykin Custer, second; Ryan Lane, third.
Border Explorers Frozen Aces Poker Derby: Patrick Dadson, first ($750); Shawn Merasty, second ($500); Easter Dubinak, third ($300); Leo Gillis, fourth ($200); Cam Yeo, fifth ($150); Rolf Affolter, sixth ($100); Devin Deminick, seventh ($75); Dustin Trumbley, eighth ($75); Leo Gillis, ninth ($25 gift certificate); Don McLean, 10th ($25 gift certificate); Brad Slugoski, 50/50 draw ($250); Leon Custer, fire pit.
