There is no other activity more synonymous with winter fun than the traditional winter carnival. February is the month for winter carnivals throughout the communities of Huntsville and Lake of Bays. With activities for kids young and old, these carnivals are the highlight of the season for the whole family.
The Port Sydney Winter Carnival kicks off the carnival festivities starting Friday February 1 and running until Sunday February 3. Stop by the Port Sydney Community Hall to enjoy a jam packed weekend of arts and crafts, horse and wagon rides, a pancake breakfast, skating, torhc light tubing and even a Saturday Night Dance!
The Dwight Winter Carnival returns for its 49th year on February 8 and 9. Bring the kids out Friday night for the “Kids Kapers,” a night of games and prizes! Saturday starts with the Dwight Lion’s Club pancake breakfast, followed by a full slate of events including Speaking of Wildlife Exhibits, horse drawn sleigh rides, fat biking, skating, axe throwing and so much more. Not to be missed, the annual H.O.L.D. Chili Cook Off will crown its annual champion after tastings from 11:30am – 1:30pm.
The Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival takes place the next weekend, on February 15 and 16. There will be a skating party with music, hot chocolate and snacks, and a pancake breakfast before the popular Snowball Parade. Spend the day enjoying a horse-drawn wagon ride, a hockey shoot out, the kids vs adults hockey game and the snow snake games (you have to attend to find out what they are!). The Rec Centre will be open for hot drinks and snacks, while the Snowball Café has live entertainment throughout the day.
Also on Saturday February 16 is Algonquin Provincial Park’s Winter in the Wild Festival. Celebrating winter in Canada’s first provincial park, there are both indoor and outdoor activities across the park’s Highway 60 corridor. Adventurers will want to check out the wildlife snowshoe excursion, winter camping demonstration and guided winter bird walk. There will be ice skating, a campfire and barbecue as well as a fireside talk and winter night hike.
The Baysville Winterfest takes place on Family Day, Monday February 18. It will feature a pancake breakfast and barbecue for food lovers, chainsaw carving, performances by Tim Burr – The Circus Lumberjack, a reptile and small animal show, a comedy show as well as all the skating and live music you can pack in. It’s the perfect way to spend the holiday with the whole family.
February is the month for Winter Carnival throughout Huntsville and Lake of Bays. Gather the family and see if you can visit them all!