One of the fun activities at the Tux & Toques Gala was digging for diamonds. Funds raised from the sold out event will go to the Ronald McDonald House construction project. (Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW staff)

By Susan McNeil

Winter Festival 2026

Tuxes and Toques gala going strong for almost a decade 

Jan 25, 2026 | 12:13 PM

It was a sold out event as the Prince Albert Winter Festival celebrated the Tux and Toques Gala at the Wildlife Federation building on Friday night.

Bev Erickson, past president of the festival and gala chairperson, said that the idea is to show sponsors their appreciation and give them a place to wear gowns and tuxedos. Attendees were given toques as they walked in the door.  

“It’s just to say thank you to the sponsors and kind of give Prince Albert another classy event for people to go to,” she said. “But mostly it’s to thank the sponsors.”  

Master of Ceremonies Nigel Maxwell interviewed Honourary Chairpeople Tammy McGunigal and Chrissy Halliday. (Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

Beyond the general theme of wearing fine clothing and a toque, the kick-off gala didn’t offer a theme, but it did offer some fun in the form of a ‘diamond dig’, a silent auction and live entertainment 

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Carmen Robertson and Janice Trudel began the entertainment with country classics.  

Carmen Robertson and Janice Trudel began the entertainment with country classics. (Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

All of the money raised throughout the evening will go towards the construction of the city’s first Ronald McDonald House near the Victoria Hospital.  

Families of children in the hospital currently have a room they can use for respite, snacks and doing laundry, but the new building will have 12 rooms that allow for overnight stays.  

Randy at My Place Catering prepared the food on Friday night, which included roast beef, chicken stuffed with asparagus, ham and wine sauce and multiple salads and sides.  

Erickson has been involved in the gala since it was first added to the Winter Festival lineup nine years ago, becoming co-ordinator in its second year.  

“I keep doing it because I love to see people get dressed up. I love the talent that we have in Prince Albert, and just to showcase the people that we have and to be able to meet and greet the people that help us,” she said.  

The winter festival would not have lasted 62 years without dedicated volunteers and business support. It is one of the longest running festivals in the country and draws people from across northern Saskatchewan.  

Winter Festival events start in several weeks. Annual highlights will return, such as the King and Queen Trapper competition and dog sled races on Feb. 20 and 21. 

On Feb. 4, the chili cookoff happens, the Beerd Derby runs continually and the Country North Show takes place Feb. 6 and 7.  

There are many events running throughout  the month, and more details can be found on the Festival’s website.  

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com