Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Greater Napanee will have just the thing to cure the cold weather blues on Feb. 19 while hosting its annual Winter Chill Festival.
Fittingly the event again falls on Family Day as it promises to offer fun for the whole family with a collection of indoor and outdoor activities in and around the Strathcona Paper Centre.
“New this year we’ve got a stunt ventriloquist, starting at 11 a.m. as well as a balloon twister,” says Bethany Lessard, youth program and special events assistant with the Town of Greater Napanee. “We’ve also got face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, marshmallow roasting, horse drawn wagon rides, public skating and a colouring contest.”
A basket of prizes will be up for grabs for the best judged colouring artist.
Tim Holland will play the role of the stunt ventriloquist, performing a show that will see him juggle dangerous objects and ride a high unicycle, all while arguing with a puppet on his hand. His show mixes in plenty of laughs for all ages. He has over two decades worth of performing experience, having shared the stage with the likes of Sharon and Bram, Fred Penner and Martin Short.
Along with colouring, a series of winter-themed crafts will also be available for the kids. A handful of local performers are also slated to take the stage.
“Once again it’s all free admission, all we’re asking is for a donation of a non-perishable food item for the local food bank,” said Lessard.
Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to dress warm as some of the events will take place outdoors, weather permitting. As the weather can be unpredictable this time of year, they’ll have plenty going on indoors as well in the event that Mother Nature doesn’t want to co-operate.
The event is sponsored by Century 21 as well as the Town of Greater Napanee.