THUNDER BAY - This weekend saw temperatures usually found in spring and summer months, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from celebrating all things winter, even if it was a little wet.
The Voyageur Winter Carnival kicked off on Saturday at Fort William Historical Park. The annual celebration, which is the largest winter carnival in Northwestern Ontario, includes classic seasonal events like sledding, tubing, skating, crafts, and a snow maze.
“So far, it’s looking really good,” said Emily Carr, communications officer with Fort William Historical Park. “Usually as the weekend progresses it starts to get a little busier. The weather is really great this time and more and more people will keep heading out.”
Temperatures soared well above seasonal, reaching a high of plus 11 degrees on Saturday. There was some water and mud throughout the park, and though skating on the Kaministiquia River was open, it was a little slushy.
But the warm weather seemed to be enticing more people out, as opposed to minus 30 degrees, which has been seen in past years.
“In the past few years it has been the complete opposite spectrum,” Carr said. “Quite a bit colder as I understand it. Right now it’s a little bit warmer, so you maybe don’t need as many winter clothes on to stay warm, but there’s still plenty to come and do and enjoy down at the Fort.”
Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing for the rest of the weekend, and Carr said all activities and events are open.
“So far everything is a go,” she said. “We will just keep an eye on everything and make sure it is still safe and deal with it from there.
For Sarah MacKinnon, who was at the winter carnival with her husband Steve and six-year-old daughter, Olivia, the warm weather made the day that much better.
“The warm weather is making is so much more enjoyable,” she said. “You wear rubber boots, you’re good.”
A new addition to this year’s carnival includes hovercraft rides, which for MacKinnon, was another reminder of warmer seasons.
“It was kind of like being on a boat, but cooler,” she said after going on her first ride down the river. “The hovercraft was super cool. It was a lot of fun. I’m surprised by how fun it was actually.”
For Kieran Carpenter and his sister, Carys, it’s tough to pick just one thing they enjoyed most during the day.
“It’s so fun,” Kieran said. “We fired the musket. It was heavy and hard.”
Kieran and Carys also tried the snow maze, finding a way out in five minutes. Even though it is just the start of this year’s carnival, Carys said she is already looking forward to next year.
“My favourite part was painting the snow walls,” she said. “And I liked to see the animals and I also enjoyed the maze. It was lots of fun. I had too much fun, I don’t want to go.”
The Voyageur Winter Carnival continues on Sunday and Monday from 11 to 5 at Fort William Historical Park. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students, and youth, and children under five are free. Weekend passes are still available.
