Grant for winter festival gets support from city committee

A grant of up to $150,000 to support a winter festival in February received support from the city’s executive committee on Wednesday.

The festival will be called Frost Regina and is expected to take place over 10 days in February across four locations.

“You can go anywhere in the city and, either for free or for a ticketed event, enjoy the winter. And (we’re) really looking forward to lighting up the city and celebrating the fact that winter is beautiful,” said Mayor Sandra Masters.

The four locations include Wascana Park, downtown Regina, the Warehouse District and the Regina Exhibition Association Limited campus.

Some of the activities include skating and a youth hockey tournament, horse and wagon tours, as well as art exhibits and live entertainment. Iceville will also return to Mosaic Stadium as part of the festival.

Masters said an event like the one planned next year is important for mental and physical health during the pandemic, as well as community identity.

“When we’re all under lockdown, being outdoors was the one thing that was deemed safer than anything,” she said.

“We want people to go out and be physically active to participate with friends and family and really celebrate where we live, as opposed to just hunkering down indoors.”

She also wants visitors to see winter differently.

“We want to show them it’s something to celebrate, it’s beautiful and that we can have fun with it,” Masters said.|

Council will approve the grant at its meeting on Nov. 10.