Three days of fun at Sioux Lookout’s Winter Festival

Tim Brody - Editor

Running from March 1 - 3, the Winter Festival included winter safety messaging at the Sioux Lookout Fire Hall, a pickleball tournament and a basketball tournament at the Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre, Family Game Day and a Cribbage Tournament at the Legion, youth and adult snowshoe races at Cedar Bay and other activities at the Cozy Cabin, two Sioux Lookout Bombers games, and a kids art class.
Micah Hesman, Recreation Program Coordinator, shared that, “The Municipality is continuously looking for opportunities to engage with the community and provide recreation activities for its members.”
Meredith Culham, Recreation and Culture Manager, added, “The department felt it would be nice to see more winter events occurring in our community. Our winters are long, and it’s nice to break it up with different events and programs wherever we can.”
The first weekend in March was chosen for the Winter Festival. “After some discussion with other organizations/groups and their availability, the first weekend in March seemed to be the best option for those who were interested in hosting an event,” Culham said.
“This date gave enough time to both the Municipality and our partnered community groups while keeping it part of winter,” Hesman added. 
Hesman shared that, like Blueberry Festival events, each community group was responsible for facilitating their own activities with the Municipality supported them where/as needed. The Municipality facilitated some of its own events during the Winter Festival, such as intermission activities for the Bombers games, the pickleball tournament, basketball tournament, and a free skate with the Bombers. The Recreation Centre also hosted a kid’s painting session with local artist Gabrielle Wesley.
Culham said, “The Winter Festival was very successful. The activities that were hosted at the Recreation Center were met with enthusiasm and excitement. We were happy with the attendance overall and look forward to expanding on this fun winter activity going forward.”
Culham concluded, “Our goal is to continue the Winter Festival on the same weekend every year to create consistency and excitement for the event going forward.”
Nine participants took part in the Pickleball Tournament, which was won by Margot Saari and Mike McCarl.
Three teams took part in the Basketball Tournament. The winning team included Aaron Parrius, Joavani Aranges, Joe Parrius, Jalal Jimenez, Kierren Icban, Marco Domondon and Virgilo Galivo. 
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78 Secretary/Manager Megan Brohm said Family Game Day went well, “I would like to thank the 30 adults and youth who stopped in for some fun in the Legion Clubroom. I will be planning another Family Game Day in the upcoming weeks.”
Mike McCarl, Marilyn Koval, and Larry Willms were the winners in the adult snowshoe race. 
Liam Salter, Malcolm Laverty, and Karsten Glenn were the winners in the youth snowshoe race.
Yoko Schreiber, representing the Cedar Bay Trails Co., said the events at Cedar Bay were a joint venture among the Friends of Cedar Bay, Nordic Nomads, and Cedar Bay Trail Co.
“All three clubs are working together to encourage people to get outside, use the trails and have fun at Cedar Bay. Those who participated had lots of fun,” she said.