Sleigh rides were a popular method of transportation at the Alfred Jenkins Field House over the weekend. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Winter Festival 2020

Prince Albert Winter Festival wraps up

Feb 24, 2020 | 8:19 AM

The Prince Albert Winter Festival has officially wrapped up after weeks of community events.

Starting back on Feb. 7, the Prince Albert community took in a variety of festivities including the sled dog races and the King and Queen Trapper competition to name just a few.

President Bev Erickson told paNOW overall, she thought the festival was spectacular.

“We’ve had such community support and involvement, so many people yesterday and today and Friday at the fireworks and bonfire, it was just amazing,” she said. “I would say it was a pretty good year.”

On Saturday organizers sold over 980 admission buttons at the Alfred Jenkins Field House and on Sunday they came close to the 800 mark.

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“Mother Nature has very much cooperated and we’re very glad she had a hot flash,” Erickson said.

She added they had 7,500 buttons printed this year and they have less than 1,000 remaining.

“We’re very happy with the turnout; there’s been a lot of people watching the King and Queen Trapper events, the dog sled races, it’s just been wonderfully crazy,” she said. “We can not do this without all of the support from the citizens of Prince Albert and surrounding area. I’m sure glad they came out to enjoy themselves.”

The trade show at the Alfred Jenkins Field House was sold out Saturday and Sunday. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

She explained their goal for next year is to go bigger and better and get more people out.

“Of course, the weather is always a big factor in the turnout of the winter festival,” she noted. “Families with little ones are able to come out and enjoy themselves when the weather isn’t -40 C. I mean we have a hard time even as volunteers of the board being outside when it’s -40 C watching the events.”

Erickson wanted to thank all the sponsors, media, citizens of P.A. and volunteers for their involvement. The Winter Festival celebrated many different cultures and events that P.A. has to offer.

One of the attractions was Quentin Sylvestre, who was at the Alfred Jenkins Field House over the weekend showing off his wood carving skills.

Sylvestre uses a chainsaw, angle grinder and a carving tool to work wood into art or furniture such as an eagle he was seen creating. After carving it he burns it with a torch to give it a coloured look and then sands it.

“I’ve been carving and painting all my life,” he said. “It just came naturally with a chainsaw, eight years ago my wife bought me a chainsaw.”

Quentin Sylvestre Carves an eagle using a chainsaw. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Most of his projects take him around an hour to do but when he first began it took him a lot longer.

He added his favourite part about his work is seeing the awe on peoples faces when he’s finished.

“I enjoy it, I can just zone out everybody and I can just carve,” he explained.

Sylvestre said he takes after his father who also did a bit of artwork.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @iangustafson12