MHV hosts winter carnival

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/02/2024 (499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The lack of wintery conditions including snow hasn’t put a damper on plans for the Mennonite Heritage Village’s winter carnival.

Set to take place Friday and Saturday, the event will contain the usual array of winter activities.

MHV executive director Gary Dyck said there is enough snow and temperatures are low enough to include snowshoeing, kick-sledding, skating and sleigh rides, though slippery conditions can sideline the horses in some cases.

Both indoor and outdoor activities will be part of the festival that attracts between 200 and 500 people annually.

This year will be the second where the focus on entertainment has increased.

Prior to a grant received last year, the festival kept things simple.

“Usually, we’ve had kind of one performer on the Saturday but now we’re having two days and entertainment throughout the day,” he said.

Metis musician Nick Messner will take to the stage on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s lineup which begins at 1 p.m. includes Sleepy the Clown (kid’s show), David Graham, Mr. Ken’s Magic Show (family show) and Matt Zimmerman.

Attendees will also have a chance to tour the newly opened Mennonite Village Photography Exhibit.

Dyck encourages people to stay and experience the village which is lit up after the sun goes down and to take a trip to the Peace Garden area where an artesian well continues to flow throughout the winter.

“Just the steam coming off of it is actually one of the most beautiful sights I think,” Dyck said.

Promoting the museum as a winter destination has been a priority for MHV, and the winter carnival is a great time for people to experience it.

“It’s a beautiful venue still in winter,” Dyck said.