THUNDER BAY – Just in case there were any concerns, Mother Nature made sure there would be plenty of snow for the city’s winter Family Day activities.
As many as 7,000 people are estimated to have made their way to Prince Arthur’s Landing on Monday for the annual SnowDay.
A fresh blanket of snow and a brisk wind chill off Lake Superior of – 20C throughout the day made it feel like a true Thunder Bay winter day, said Ash Young, the city’s cultural development and events supervisor.
“No, not without some cold and a snowstorm the day before,” Young said.
One of the highlights every year are the elaborate snow sculptures on display. This year’s pop culture theme brought out tributes honouring the late Gord Downie and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Other sculptures paid homage to classic film franchises Jaws and Star Wars.
Other officers were the Birds in the Bay community art installation, which was displayed throughout the park, as well as demonstrations by Science North. Family friendly activities included ice fishing, snowshoeing, kick-sledding and face painting.
“It’s a free community event. Everybody can come, it’s accessible for everyone,” Young said. “That’s the type of thing we need to on Family Day as a city.”
For those looking for some help to warm up the always popular chilli cook-off returned, this time in support of the Regional Food Distribution Association.
“Everyone is leaving full, satisfied and happy. It’s been awesome,” said Kelsey Agnew, the organization’s food service manager.
Agnew said the cook-off has raised $4,000 in the past with organizers looking to come close to that amount this year.
“After the season of giving at Christmas time and January, everything dips down and then the shelves get a bit more bare,” Agnew said.
“Having something like this is perfect timing.”
