Igloos, ice bars, and hiking; Frost Festival kicks off 2023 with new events
Above seasonal temperatures with snow squalls did not slow down the first day of Regina’s Frost Festival.
Some fan favourite events including sleigh rides and skating on Wascana Lake are back for their second season while organizers introduced new elements to this year’s agenda. Many of which embrace the natural side of the Queen City.
Bird watching tours, as well as trips around the lake with hiking enthusiasts, highlight what Regina's nature scene has to offer.
David Drummond has been offering hikes around the lake and said the activity has many benefits for those who join in.
"Getting kids outside in the winter it helps them understand and appreciate how dangerous it can be to see an animal living outside,” Drummond said.
“[It makes you] really appreciate that warm house you go back to every night.”
Frost Festival has been split into four different hubs spread out throughout the city with no shortage of events happening outside of the REAL District.
In the downtown hub near Pat Fiacco Plaza, competitors were participating in the first ever igloo building competition.
Jaden Janzen and his team were eager to build the structure, but were also excited to see what their competitors could create.
"I’m expecting to see a lot of good igloos, a lot of teams coming together and a lot of good design,” Janzen explained. “I think there are a lot of creative people in this city so I am excited to see what everybody makes.”
With the igloo competition a Frost Festival first, organizers are taking notes with the expectation of coming back next year with a larger event.
"There’s a lot of exciting colour and elements and they will be illuminated in the evening and just a really interactive event,” organizer Kayla Lindgren explained.
The warehouse hub is also host to many events, including an ice bar at Rebellion Brewery.
The warehouse hub will be home to events suited for crowds 19+ including snow suit dance parties.
With all the outdoor fun, the Regina Fire and Protective Services (RFPS) reminds the public to dress for winter conditions.
“You want to dress accordingly to the winter and to the weather,” Chief Layne Jackson said.
“So dress in layers and make sure you’re covered especially if it starts to get cold.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.