SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - A new festival packed winter action sports and family activities together like a perfect snowball at the Credit Union Place (CUP) on Saturday.
Barbegazi, or frozen beard, was a “fantastic event” to get people out and active during the winter, said Summerside’s sport and event tourism coordinator Ryan Steele.
Steele said the event saw a great crowd, with sledding races in particular being a hit with the kids.
The winner of Saturday’s race even won a year-long membership to the Credit Union Place, said Steele.
“So we’re trying to get as many kids to come,” said Steele.
Some of the activities included; “fat tire” biking, skating, human curling, lumberjack games, sledding, tree and axe throwing, arm wrestling, a magic show, inflatables, bowling, swimming and more.
“There’s so much happening – and it’s all free,” said Steele.
Gina MacKinnon watched her two sons saw their way to victory before moving on to the arm-wrestle station.
“We came yesterday and had a blast. The temperature was a lot warmer than today and my sons participated in all the activities and had lots of fun,” she said. “But we came back today to participate in the arm-wrestling competition.”
Fire pits scattered on the outside grounds brought warmth, along with an opportunity to roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate.
Lisa Arsenault had a festive maple syrup snow candy station that gathered lots of interest.
“We purchased our maple syrup from New Brunswick and boiled it down. Duke Cormier set up the bench here and spread ice over. We then poured the syrup on the ice watching it harden and gave customers the opportunity to make their own candy with a popsicle stick,” she said.
Adjacent to the maple station was a sledding hill that had a line of kids eagerly waiting their turn.
“It’s a great day even though it is very cold, but the snow hill is my kid’s favourite activity,” announced Carrie Lavers as she watched them sail down one by one.
The festival for all-ages wrapped up with the carving of snow sculptures outside the facility at 8 p.m.
