Local musician Nancy Hagen has been named the Honourary Chairperson of this year's Winter Festival. (Prince Albert Winter Festival/Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

WINTER FESTIVAL

Nancy Hagen named honorary chairperson at Tux and Toques Gala

Jan 30, 2023 | 12:00 PM

While the temperatures were bone chilling outside, inside the Prince Albert Wildlife Federation, the atmosphere was warm and inviting for the annual Tux and Touques Gala.

A major fundraiser held every year, the gala is meant to kick off the Prince Albert Winter Festival which this year will celebrate its 59^th year.

The gala featured performances by local artists Joshua Stumpf, Taya Lebel, Mercy Glover, and guitarist Andon Schumack.

(From left to right) Joshua Stumpf, Taya Lebel, and Mercy Glover perform at Tux and Touques on Jan. 28. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

There was one big moment that capped off the night with the naming of the honorary chairperson. This year that accolade went to local musician and longtime performer at the festival, Nancy Hagen.

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“It’s a little bit surreal. I have to say I’m very honoured and I’m very excited and I feel unworthy,” Hagen, who first performed at the Country Show at the Winter Festival in 1982, said. Since then, she has performed at all but four festivals in Prince Albert.

Her performances have inspired other musicians who have taken the stage. The MC for the night even cried when talking about the legacy Hagen has made at the Festival.

After the official presentation was made, Hagen said she felt honoured to be rewarded for something she loves to do.

“I’ve been singing for a long time and this show is just a small part of the Winter Festival,” she said. “It’s a family affair, it’s communities coming together for a common purpose. It’s something to be said about our community support. This is a great event and every aspect of it is phenomenal.”

Meanwhile, Bev Erickson, the president of this year’s Winter Festival said she was pleased with the turnout for the gala along with the tremendous support of local businesses and philanthropists. She said that support is what keeps them going every year.

“Community support has been the number one thing that has driven the winter festival for many, many years and it continues to be the backbone of the Winter Festival,” she said.

As for the festival itself, Erickson said there are still some pieces of the puzzle to put together but believes, as with every year, that the festival will go off without a hitch.

“We have a lot of things on track. Years ago I was once told that the people that are putting things together are the only people that know what is and isn’t supposed to happen, so if it doesn’t happen, don’t sweat the small stuff,” she said.

The 59^th Annual Prince Albert Winter Festival runs from Feb. 9 to 26 with indoor events such as the Jigging Contest Beerd Derby and Family Days, along with outdoor events like the King and Queen Trappers, Dog Sled races and the Fireworks Show.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock