Though there won’t be the characteristic ice sculptures and family events downtown over Christmas, there will still be a celebration of the coldest season this year.
The town is starting a new event, called the Art of Winter, which will take place on the last weekend of January.
“We were inspired by two unique features of Collingwood – the arts community and the way Collingwood embraces winter activities,” said Karen Cubitt manager of culture and events for the Collingwood Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department.
In previous years, the town has partnered with the BIA for the Frozen in Time Festival, which is marked by signature ice sculptures downtown Collingwood, and several demonstrations by ice carvers.
According to Cubitt, the BIA took on the largest portion of the expenses, particularly the ice sculptures and used grant funding to cover it. This year the BIA did not receive the funding and so opted out of hosting the festival.
The town’s Parks, Recreation and Culture department still saw value in a winter event in Collingwood.
Cubitt said timing the event for the end of January makes it easier to secure entertainment, services, volunteers, and staff compared to the Frozen in Time festival, which took place over Christmas holidays.
The Art of Winter event will have a focus on participation and try-it-out opportunities.
“The schedule of events will take a how-to guide approach,” said Cubitt. “Collingwood residents know how to embrace winter, sometimes it just takes a gentle reminder.”
At a meeting earlier this week, council passed the 2020 budget, and included an extra $10,000 for the Art of Winter event. Cubitt said that money would go toward the snow-carving components of the weekend.
The town will rent snow column making equipment, and will lean on the expertise of those who previously hosted Sarnia Snowfest for some snow carving events.
In addition to a hands-on lesson in the Collingwood art form of embracing winter, the festival will aim to promote health, well-being and social connection, a relationship between arts and culture with sports and recreation, and the year-round beauty and versatility of the Collingwood trails.
The Art of Winter event is family-friendly and will take place at Central Park and on Collingwood Trails from January 24 to 26, 2020. There will be daytime and nighttime events including professional snow carving, snowshoe treks, and moonlit skating.
For more on the new festival, visit collingwood.ca/artofwinter.
