Head out to Greenwood Winterfest this weekend
By Erin Perkins
Get ready for some good clean family fun at the annual Winterfest in Greenwood, Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. when the City works department begins dumping trucks loads of snow in front of nearly every business in town for the snow sculpting competition. Each participating business will have from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sculpt a person-sized structure for a chance to win a painting. Judges from the local art club begin touring at 6 p.m.
Families can also participate in the snow sculpting contest. They have from today until Friday at 6 p.m. to create snowmen or snow creatures in their own yards. Prizes will also be awarded for the best residential sculpture.
At 6 p.m. join the entire community at the Greenwood Museum for the opening ceremonies. There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate as well as speeches from mayor Nipper Kettle, the RCMP, Midway mayor Randy Kappes and representatives from the Board of Trade.
After the speeches is the torch lighting — a propane torch which is kept lit during the entire weekend celebration.
“When we light the torch we always say, ‘let this torch be the warmth of our hearts reaching out to the rest of the Boundary’,” said Andy Shelton, event organizer.
At 7 p.m. everyone is invited to the ball park where they can play mixed family broomball.
“We try to get everyone out,” said Shelton.
The consession will be opened with hotdogs and hot drinks. Pre-registration is suggested. For more information please call Andy Shelton at ASE Electric 250-445-2234 or Ev Sather at 250-445-6669.
Saturday, February 18
Saturday is a day of games. Start the morning right with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at McArthur Centre then head on over to the mixed men and women’s snow volleyball games at the ball park at 8:30 a.m.
For those who like to stay indoors, there is an adult crib tournament starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Legion.
“There will be lots of games and nice prizes,” said Shelton.
At 11 a.m. judging starts for the chili cook-off and pie contest at McArthur Centre. The chili and pies will be sold after the competition to support the school’s lunch program. Noon is the pool tournament at the Greenwood Inn.
After lunch at 1:30 p.m. and you’re back outside at the ball park with the most entertaining events of all — the Original Human Dog Sled Race.
The race features four men harnessed to a sled with a woman musher on board.
“It’s a 100 yard race but in the deep snow it makes it very interesting,” said Shelton, adding that this year the mayor and council are expected to join in the fun.
If a human dog sled race wasn’t funny enough, don’t miss the mens and ladies Super Challenge at 2 p.m. The teams face four challenges in an attempt to come out on top. Those challenges include the mogul run, woodchuck race, redneck horseshoe with toilet seats and squirrel in a can.
“It’s all for fun and a race against time,” said Shelton.
The broomball tournament begins at 4 p.m. followed by the hockey skill challenge for the youngsters at 6:30 p.m. at the ball park.
For the first time in the history of Winterfest, there will be a Valentine’s Day dance at 7 p.m. at the Legion. The evening features live music by Earl and the Girl. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door.
Sunday, February 19
Sunday starts with the opening of the consession stand in the ball park by the Friends of Greenwood Improvement Society at 9 a.m., which also is the starting time for the snow golf. Eight or nine fairways will be created in the ball park and golf will be played using field hockey sticks and tennis balls. The best snow golfers can compete in the 11 a.m. tournament for a chance to win jackets. Pre-registration is recommended for the game by calling Andy Shelton at ASE Electric 250-445-2234 or Ev Sather at 250-445-6669.
At 12:30 p.m. is the snow volleyball finals where the top two teams compete to be the best out of five games. At 1:30 p.m. is the Broomball finals followed by the pool tournament which will be played at the Legion.
Grab a great Sunday night roast beef dinner at the McArthur Centre at 4:30 p.m. The dinner is a fundraiser for the Grade 6 and 7 class from Greenwood Elementary School for a field trip. Dinner is $10 a person.
The weekend of fun will wrap up with the closing ceremonies and trophy presentations at 6 p.m. at the McArthur Centre. Among the many awards is a one night stay in a jacuzzi room at the Coast Hotel in Penticton and dinner for two and a two night stay at the Omak Inn in Omak, Washington with dinner for two at a Mexican buffet for the winners of the super challenge. Winners of the broomball and volleyball tournaments will receive embroidered Greenwood jackets. There is also gift certificates from the Station Pub in Grand Forks, A&W in Grand Forks and Dairy Queen in Grand Forks.
