By Bryan Eneas

Winter Festival names honorary chair

Dec 18, 2017 | 1:00 PM

A familiar face in the city of Prince Albert was named as honorary chair of the board for this year’s Winter Festival events.

Paul Lomhiem, the advertising director of the Northern Lights Casino was confirmed in that capacity at an event in the Starlight Lounge on Dec. 18.

“I’m very honoured,” Lomheim said. “I never, ever expected to be named the honorary chair. It was a total shock when I got the call, and a very nice feeling.”

Lomheim said he hasn’t stopped thinking about the role from the moment he got the call. He shared the information with his 91-year-old mother in Saskatoon, who he said has made plans to visit Prince Albert to see the festival.

Lomheim participated in 18 different festivals since he moved to the city in 1997. He’s since gone on to coordinate numerous Country North shows with the Winter Festival. His passion for producing the concerts seemed apparent when discussing past performances.

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“When I die, I hope there’s a Country North show up in heaven; hopefully they’ll let me produce it,” he said.

Lomheim said he hoped to see plenty of snow on the ground so the outdoor events can go ahead as planned. His call for snow was echoed by Winter Festival president Barry Mihilewicz.

“We haven’t had snow sculpting for the last couple of years, and last year we couldn’t even do the dog races,” Mihilewicz said. “I’d like to see a good foot, foot and a half this January and then none of this melting weather.”

The Winter Festival president said a familiar event is making its return this year. Arm wrestling is set to take place once again after a long hiatus.

“As it turned out, [the Saskatchewan Arm Wrestling Association] had a space in their schedule for Saturday, [Jan.] 24,” Mihilewicz said. “We’re going to do it, and I think it’s kind of a cool thing; there’s going to be some nostalgia. We actually have some of the old trophies at the Winter Festival offices.”

The annual Winter Festival event runs from Feb. 15 to the 25. Events will be spread between the E.A. Rawlinson Center, the Exhibition Center, and the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse among other locations.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas