Pictured here was the winter festival in the early 1970s when it was held on the river. (Submitted photo/Bill Smiley archives)

By Ian Gustafson

History of Tradition

‘The allure of being on the river was tremendous’: looking back on P.A. Winter Festival on North Sask. River

Feb 16, 2022 | 8:00 AM

As the annual Prince Albert Winter Festival celebrates another year, paNOW is looking back at how the longtime tradition has evolved since its inception.

The first winter festivals were originated in the 1920s but after it was nixed, it was revived in the 1960s.

President of the Prince Albert Historical Society, Fred Payton said much of what was showcased in the festival back then is still being put on to this day.

Although, there were some events that no longer exist today, including a queen pageant which was similar to a beauty pageant, where the winning queen and her princesses were awarded Hudson Bay jackets. They would be marked on their looks, apparel, and ability to explain what they want to do with their life in the future and in the present.

The queen and her princesses in their Hudson Bay jackets after winning the pageant in 1967. (Submitted photo/Bill Smiley archives)

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However, one of the biggest changes to the winter festival is it used to be held exclusively on the ice of the North Saskatchewan River.

“At the time in the 20s’ the winter festival was held on the river ice and in the 1960s, when they reinstituted the winter festival, all the activities pretty much were held on the ice,” Payton said.

There were some off ice activities in the 60s in the old arcade hall which is now the Union Centre. They also used to hold performances in the Margo Fournier Centre like the variety acts the festival offers now like the Rock Show Experience. They also used to hold snowmobile races.

The animal calling, dog sled races, wood chopping, cooking of wild meats was started in the beginning and continued today.

The wood chopping event in 1967. (Submitted photo/ Bill Smiley archives)

“They’ve been able to maintain a lot of the different programs and events. Unfortunately they moved them off the river ice and to be very honest with you in the 1960s when I used to attend the winter festival as a teenager the allure of being on the river was tremendous and most people really enjoyed getting down there, getting on the ice knowing that you’re looking up at Prince Albert from a vantage point that was seen by the early fur traders,” Payton said, adding it lost a bit of glamour moving it off the river.

He explained it was moved away from the river due to safety concerns in what he believes to be around 1982 but could not say for sure. It was the city’s police chief who voiced concerns over safety as the water runs very quickly even under the ice.

The sled dog races on the river in 1967. (Submitted photo/ Bill Smiley archives)

They had food concession on the ice, many scouts camped on the river and there were even bonfires. Those who camped on the ice along with the necessities would stay on the river for the duration of the two-week event.

“It really was quite a river location specific event and I think that’s what really attracted people to it,” he added.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12