(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

The dog days of winter

Lack of snow forces cancellation of dog sled races at P.A. Winter Festival

Feb 15, 2024 | 1:00 PM

Mother Nature is forcing the Prince Albert Winter Festival to make a ‘ruff’ decision on its upcoming outdoor events.

The Festival announced recently it has had to cancel the dog sled races for Feb. 24 and 25 due to the lack of snow.

The races were to be held on Marquis Road past the Rose Garden Hospice along with other outdoor events like the King and Queen Trapper contests. Those events are still a go but will be moved to the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre.

Bev Erickson, the President of the Winter Festival said it’s been a long time since a decision like this has been made.

“I was told way back in the 80s, there was one year that they cancelled the dog sled races, but other than that they’ve always been always been a go. They’ve always found a way to do it,” she said.

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It’s not just the dogs that won’t be in town for the festival as the lack of snow and milder-than-normal temperatures this winter has meant no snow sculptures as well.

Erickson noted they are working on an alternative to those sculptures.

“We’re looking at possibly doing a couple wood carvings.”

Despite this news, Erickson is still excited for the remainder of the Winter Festival with events ready to go starting Thursday night.

Voices of the North will take the stage Thursday through Saturday at the Exhibition Centre with the Jigging Contest and Fiddle Show happening Sunday.

Next week and weekend will feature the Classic Country Show, Fireworks, the Rock Show Experience, and the Gospel Show on the final day of the festival on Feb. 25.

Other indoor events include the Junior Trapper event, the Arm-Wrestling competition and Trade Show.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com