By Shane O'Neill

P.A. Winter Festival names first honorary chairperson

Dec 8, 2016 | 1:00 PM

Winter has officially returned to Prince Albert. The change in season has also brought some changes to the annual Prince Albert Winter Festival.

For the first time in its 53-year history, the festival will recognize an honorary chairperson.

“This is an opportunity to go back, look back over history, see what the Winter Festival has done, some of the people who have put an amazing amount of time, energy and effort into the Winter Festival, and to recognize them,” president of the Prince Albert Winter Festival Society Barry Mihilewicz said.

The first person to be recognized is long-time festival board member and former Prince Albert chief of police, Wes Stubbs.

“When I was working with the Winter Festival, it was an important part of my year, I enjoy doing it,” Stubbs said. “So now, when I look back and have this opportunity to be involved again, it’s pretty exciting.”

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The announcement was made Thursday morning at the Alfred Jenkins Field House by Mihilewicz and other members of the festival’s board of directors.

The honorary position is meant to recognize the commitment and dedication of someone who has contributed to the festival over the years and Stubbs certainly fits the bill.

Over the years, Stubbs was an integral part of Western Canada’s longest running winter festival. His participation began in the mid 1960s as a board member and organizer of many of the indoor programs. He continued his participation through the early 1980s, when he assumed the role of chief of police. He continued to volunteer and enjoy the Winter Festival ever since.

Mihilewicz believes honouring the contributions of people in the community is important for the festival as it enters a new generation of volunteers and participants.

“I think it’s important to look back and understand the history of the Winter Festival is long and storied,” he said.

For Stubbs, participating in the Winter Festival was always a way to give back to the community and to help shine on the talent in Prince Albert.

“There’s so much talent in Prince Albert. Doesn’t matter where you look, you’ve got great talent. I don’t know a city that has a better percentage of good entertainment than Prince Albert,” Stubbs said after the announcement on Thursday.

On top of recognizing Stubbs, Mihilewicz announced a number of new programs for the festival in 2017.

A Tuxes and Toques gala dinner will be held at Plaza 88 on Jan. 21. On Family Day, Feb. 20, a sledding party will be held at Little Red River Park before a free concert of To the Moon at the E.A. Rawlinson for kids and their families. As well, a new rock show experience will expand on the long-running Country North Show to give fans of classic rock a chance to entertain the crowds for another night of fun.

The Winter Festival runs in from Feb. 16 to 26.

shane.oneill@paNOW.com

On Twitter: @stroneill