Sackville set to celebrate third annual Winterfest

If you're looking for a way to beat the winter blues this year, Sackville will be the place to be this weekend.
The community is getting set to host its third annual Winterfest, complete with a schedule line-up that features a wide variety of sports and activities synonymous with the winter season.
From sledding and skating to skiing and sipping hot chocolate, the weekend will be packed full of events designed to help celebrate the wonders of the season.
"There's quite a bit going on . . . it's definitely getting bigger every year," said Erin Anderson, manager of programs and special events for the town's parks and recreation department.
Sackville's Winterfest will kick off on Friday evening (Feb. 5) with a sledding and skating party at the Mount Allison University swan pond, complete with music and hot chocolate to help people warm up. This event, which is being co-hosted by the university's students' administrative council, will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Anderson invites people of all ages to come out, bring their sleds and skates, and celebrate the "best of winter" under the stars.
"A lot of times we tend to think of winter as an opportunity to sit indoors and stay warm," she said. "But there's so much people can be out doing during the winter months."
On Saturday, the festivities will continue with a day full of family fun.
Festival-goers can get off to a good start with a full breakfast at the Sackville Lions Club. Held from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Lions den, the menu will include eggs, bacon, toast, sausage, baked beans, juice, tea and coffee.
Everyone is also invited to visit the Sackville farmers' market at Bridge Street CafÉ on Saturday morning, or cheer on their favorite teams participating in this year's Curl for Cancer fundraiser at the local curling club on Lansdowne Avenue.
Then the fun will continue at the 'winter blast' event at Beech Hill park, featuring an afternoon of tube sliding, cross-country skiing, disc golf, sleigh rides, music and hot chocolate from 1-4 p.m.
Winterfest activities continue on Sunday with a 3-on-3 hockey challenge at the swan pond for kids ages 11 to 16. Teams of four players can register for a $20 fee with proceeds going to Sackville Minor Hockey.
Sunday afternoon, Winterpalooza will be held at the Tantramar civic centre with plenty of activities for kids of all ages, including a play area for younger children. This event is sponsored by the Tantramar Family Resource Centre in partnership with Leadership Mount A.
Then everyone is encouraged to lace up their skates and hit the ice for a free skate at the arena. Food donations will be accepted at the door for the local food bank
The Owens Art Gallery will host a family Sunday from 2-4 p.m., where visitors can explore an exhibition of drawings and collages by artist Marc Bell, and take inspiration from Bell's huge cast of characters to create their own or have one of their characters featured in a mini comic book of their design.
The Winterfest weekend will also see several well-known musical acts take to the stage - Moonshine Ramblers & Friends on Friday night and The Lil Dave Thompson Band on Saturday night, both at George's Roadhouse.
"It should be a really fun weekend . . .so let's just hope the snow stays until then," said Anderson.