Sackville celebrates winter

Mother Nature hasn't been easy on Tantramar residents this winter but many local families fought back this past weekend as they took time out to enjoy the wonders of the season during Sackville's second annual Winterfest.
The weekend-long carnival featured a line-up of activities and events aimed at bringing the community together to celebrate the season and promote active living.
"I think it's fabulous," said Tamara Carter, a mother of three, during the Beech Hill Winter Blast event on Saturday afternoon. "We live in an area where we have a long winter so we may as well make the best of it."
And make the best of it she did. Carter, along with her daughters and husband, enjoyed some tube sledding, a horse-drawn sleigh ride and cross-country skiing at Beech Hill Park, a location which she insisted was perfect for the day's activities.
"I think this will really make people realize we need to make better use of our natural facilities," said Carter, who lives in Mount Whatley.
She said she loved the fact that her kids were having a blast while also getting some fresh air and exercise.
"It's so great to see them outside this long and they still have smiles on their faces. I can't wait to see what's new next year."
Carter said she was also pleased with the promotion of Sackville's Winterfest events, which were advertised through a school newsletter as well as the local newspaper.
"They've (town staff) gone to an awful lot of trouble to make it inviting and accommodating."
Town councillor Margaret Tusz-King said the Beech Hill events were a hit with the hundreds of people who came out on Saturday, particularly thanks to the sunny, warm weather that shone down on the area throughout the afternoon.
"It was just a glorious day," said Tusz-King. "And it was so great to see kids get out and try skiing for the first time, and to see families come out to enjoy the events and get some fresh air."
The Winterfest, hosted by the town, kicked off Friday night at the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Centre with an open skate; then the party moved over to the swan pond for more skating, sledding, hot chocolate, music and more.
"We had lots of people out on Friday night. We didn't have an official count but there seemed to be more people there than last year so it's definitely growing," said Rebecca MacLean, manager of programs and special events for the town's parks and recreation department.
MacLean noted that Saturday's Beech Hill activities, expanded from last year's cross-country skiing day at the park, were "a lot bigger than we expected."
"The weather was a wonderful bonus. It was just such a beautiful day out in the park."
MacLean said she's already received many suggestions on how the town could expand the activities next year and is open to any new ideas from the community.
She said the Winterfest not only brings local families together at this time of year but it's also an event that's beginning to draw people in from outside the region to see what Sackville has to offer during the winter months.
"It offers something that appeals to everyone," she said.