It was a busy weekend in Coniston as families from as far as Quebec, joined together to celebrate the city’s annual Winterfest.
This three-day festival incorporated many of the city’s businesses and associations, with events designed to “hit every age group, so that everyone can feel part of Winterfest in some way,” said co-organizer Stephen Gauvreau. The proceeds of individual events were either dedicated to their host association or allocated to the Coniston Playground Association’s skate park project.
For the first time since its introduction, Winterfest added an outdoor hockey tournament to its lineup which included an evening walk and lantern release, porketta bingo, Super Bowl party and a special performance by the band Riverface. More than 50 people participated in the launch of the new event, in which six teams battled for the $400 grand prize.
Co-organizer of the hockey tournament Brock Boyd felt that after years of attending Winterfest as a young boy, it was time to join the organizing team. “I felt like our group wasn’t represented. You have the seniors and the young guys doing their stuff, but this is good for us 20 to 30-year-olds,” said Boyd.
In addition to being a valuable fundraising, Coniston Winterfest is seen as an opportunity to get people out and involved in the community, said Gauvreau. “[People} see what’s going on in their community, even if it’s through fun and Winterfest; it reunites everyone.”
This year, Winterfest happened to coincide with the Coniston Minor Hockey league senior tournament of players aged 11 to 18. The tournament was held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and included 37 teams from all across Ontario and Quebec. To register for next year’s tournament, visit the Coniston Flames website.
