Celebrate The Winter Season With The City of Peterborough's Annual Snofest Event

Embrace the chills, thrills and fun of the winter season during Snofest, the City of Peterborough’s annual winter celebration from Feb. 13 to 16.  

file photo.

“Snofest is a great way to embrace the cold by getting outside, staying active and having fun together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Whether you’re swimming, skating, or enjoying one of the many free events happening throughout Family Day weekend, Snofest reminds us that the best way to stay warm is by sharing in the energy and spirit of our community.” 

A schedule of events can be found below:

Free Workshop 

Feb. 13 

Snofest begins with a workshop, “Getting the Most from your Healthcare Appointment,” at the McDonnel St. Community Centre (577 McDonnel St.) 10:30 a.m. to noon. This free workshop focuses on what to do before, during and after an appointment, and uses action planning to optimize people’s health. Registration is required and can be done online. The deadline to register for this event is Feb. 12 at noon.  

Hot Lunch and Social Hour 

Feb. 13 

A Snofest Hot Lunch and Social Hour for seniors begins at noon. The buffet lunch is free. Registration is required and can be done online. The deadline to register for this event is Feb. 12 at noon.  

Free Fun Swim 

Feb. 13 

A free fun swim takes place at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre (775 Brealey Dr.) on Feb. 13 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.  

Dinosaur Pop-Up 

Feb. 13 

A Dinosaur Pop-Up event takes place at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join Peterborough Museum and Archives staff for dinosaur-themed crafts and to learn about the Carnivorous Dinosaurs exhibit on display at the Peterborough Museum and Archives. 

Snofest Square 

Feb. 14

Quaker Foods City Square will be transformed into Snofest Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Snofest Square will feature cozy fire pits and seating for visitors to relax and enjoy the festivities. Programming includes Snoga (snow yoga) with Summer Soul Yoga & Wellness from noon to 12:30 p.m. followed by a Children’s Chorus led by Shannon McCracken from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can warm up with a Salsa Dancing session with Victoria of T-Elle Boutique from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. or enjoy free outdoor ice skating on the Square’s rink.

Snofest Story Time and Winter Crafts 

Feb. 14

The Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St.) is hosting Snofest Story Time and Winter Crafts from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.  

Snofest Pancake Breakfast 

Feb. 15

The mayor’s annual Snofest Pancake Breakfast takes place at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre (775 Brealey Dr.) from 7 a.m. to noon. All residents are invited to come out and enjoy a plate of warm pancakes and a cup of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate.  

Snofest at the Art Gallery of Peterborough 

Feb. 15

The Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent St.) is hosting a Gallery Scavenger Hunt and a “Snofest Pete” collage activity. Visitors can also view current exhibitions at the Gallery. Events take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Drop In Sports 

Feb. 16

Visit the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre (775 Brealey Dr.) for free drop-in sport sessions. The schedule is as follows:  

• Pickleball 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. 

• Basketball 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

• Badminton noon to 2 p.m. 

Free Skating and Crafts at the Miskin Law Community Complex 

Feb. 16

Free skating takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. at the Miskin Law Community Complex (271 Lansdowne St. W.) Both the Russelle Toyota Pad and the Canadian Hockey Enterprises Pad will be available to skaters. Free drop-in winter crafting activities take place in the multipurpose room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

For a complete list of events visit the website.

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Peterborough Becomes a Winter Wonderland For Snofest On Family Day Weekend

Four fun-filled days of winter-themed activities are hitting Peterborough for this year’s Snofest starting Feb. 16.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Snofest runs until Feb. 19. The full Snofest schedule of free activities is online at peterborough.ca/snofest.

“On behalf of Peterborough City Council, I am pleased to invite you to participate in the Snofest winter weekend carnival. With events and activities available to people of all ages and all stages of life, Snofest is a time for friends and families to get together and get outside for some winter fun,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “It is important that we all remain active and engaged with our community during the colder months and Snofest offers an opportunity to do so while also having a wonderful time.”  

Highlights of the schedule of events include a family swim night, the Snow Much Fun outdoor skating and snow play party at Quaker Foods City Square, the Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast presented in partnership with the East Peterborough Lions Club, a snowsuit story time provided by the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives, a family skate on holiday Monday at Healthy Planet Arena and more.

Snofest Pete will be attending most events scheduled throughout the long weekend.

The Recreation and Parks Services Division, Peterborough Public Library, the Peterborough Museum & Archives and the Art Gallery of Peterborough will provide programming.

Participants are invited to bring their used batteries to the following events to be recycled to receive a free Snofest toque: Quaker Foods City Square skate event, Healthy Planet Arena skating event and Wellness Centre swim and pancake breakfast.

“The City of Peterborough is a leading municipal example for battery recycling and sustainability and has been a great partner since 2020,” said Joe Zenobio, Call2Recycle Canada president. “We are delighted to participate in Snofest and to support Peterborough’s community life and environmental initiatives. Together through our collective efforts we will continue to protect our environment and divert even more batteries from landfills.”

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Peterborough Prepares To Celebrate The 45th Annual Snofest

The City of Peterborough has released the schedule for the 45th annual Snofest, which is being held online this year.

Stock Image.

The Snofest contests and challenges will run from Feb. 19 to 21, with residents encouraged to participate in the activities all month long.

The Activity Guide is on the City’s website peterborough.ca/Snofest. Participants can snap a photo and then share it on their Facebook page, tagging @ptbosnofest and using the hashtag #PtboSnofest2022 for a chance to win great local prizes. Residents who do not use social media can email pictures to kjelliott@peterborough.ca.

Contest winners will be chosen on Feb. 22. Prize winners will be contacted via Facebook and prizes will be available for pick-up at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre the week of Feb. 22 to 27. For more information contact Kelly Elliott or call the Wellness Centre customer service desk at 705-742-0050 ext. 2201.

“The online Snofest activity guide is full of great ideas for residents to have fun safely,” said Mayor Diane Therrien. “Though we may not be gathering in-person, I encourage people to connect online by sharing your Snofest activities on social media. I hope everyone can find time to embrace the winter season and participate in the wide variety of Snofest activities over the Family Day long weekend.”

This years Snofest includes many different activities. Below they are highlighted.

Colouring contest for kids & youth    

Kids and youth can download one of the Snofest winter-themed colouring pages, print it, colour it, scan it and e-mail the completed work to kjelliott@peterborough.ca. People can also post their masterpiece on Facebook by tagging @PtboSnofest or use the hashtag #PtboSnofest2022.

Youth 12 years of age and older can pick up paper copies of the colouring sheets at DYS and submit their entries the centre, 201 McDonnel St. They can post their work on Facebook tagging @DowntownYouthSpace or on Instagram @downtownyouthspace.

The deadline for the colouring contest is Monday, February 21, 2022.

Biggest outdoor shinny/hockey "celly" contest

This is a great opportunity for residents to show off their favorite outdoor rink and their favourite "celly" (celebration following a goal). They can take a video and share it on Facebook tagging @PtboSnofest or using #PtboSnofest2022 to be eligible to win a prize.

A list of all 23 outdoor rinks being maintained this year by dedicated volunteers is online at peterborough.ca/skate.

Art Gallery  

The Art Gallery of Peterborough invites residents to visit their website agp.on.ca for instructions and details to build their own Snofest Pete. Residents can dress him in winter gear and bring him along on all Snofest outdoor adventures.

On Facebook, residents can tag @PtboSnofest, #PtboSnofest2022 and @AGPtbo, #AGPtbo on pictures being outdoors and active with Snofest Pete.

Winter trails

Residents are encouraged to stay active during Snofest and explore the City's winter trails. The City has 42 km of paved trails that are plowed and maintained for year-round enjoyment. Unpaved trails are kept in their natural state in the winter, so residents are reminded to be aware of conditions with winter safety in mind.

As always, pedestrians have the right-of-way. Keeping to the right leaves space for faster people to pass with a safe berth. Many trails are not lit, so it is recommended to bring lights when it’s dark out.

Best snow sculpture or snow fort contest   

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of all the snow and get creative. Residents are invited to make a snow sculpture that represents a "Canadian Winter". Post on Facebook tagging @PtboSnofest, #PtboSnofest2022 and/or email a picture to kjelliott@peterborough.ca  for a chance to win a prize. The winner will be selected on February 22, 2022.

Library

Residents are invited to join the Peterborough Public Library for great winter reading recommendations. Please check out their monthly list of great activities to escape the cold - story times, grab-and-go crafts, online reading challenges and more.

The Museum wants to take you down memory lane...      

The Peterborough Museum & Archives will be sharing photographs of Snofests past and invites residents to do the same. The Snofest Committee is excited to see photos and hear stories of residents skating on the canal with Snofest Pete, enjoying the Mayor's pancake breakfast and Carnival on the Hill, or competing in Snofest Idol.

The Museum’s Facebook page will feature these photos, and residents can share their own using the hashtag #PtboSnofest2022 and tagging @PtboSnofest and @PtboMuseumArchives for a chance to win a great prize.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives’ YouTube channel will feature the “Crafternoons” playlist for families to enjoy.

Pancake contest   

Though many residents will miss the traditional Lion's Club pancake breakfast of past years, everyone is encouraged to mix up their best pancakes and post a picture of your creations, tagging the Lion's Club on Facebook @PeterboroughLionsClub and using #PtboSnofest2022 for a chance to win a great prize.

Snowman contest 

This is Peterborough’s opportunity to get creative and show off their snowman building skills. Prizes will be awarded for the funniest, largest and most original snowman. Residents can post their photos on Facebook and tag @PtboSnofest, use the hashtag #PtboSnofest2022 or email to kjelliott@peterborough.ca.

Best dressed pet contest

Who doesn't love seeing dogs in the community sporting their winter boots, coats and fun light up leashes? Peterborough pet lovers are invited to share pictures of their pets all dressed up and ready for winter. There will be a prize for best dressed pet posted on Facebook tagging @PtboSnofest and using #PtboSnofest2022.

Walk or bike to work or school challenge even in the winter

Active School Travel Peterborough encourages families to walk or roll as they travel, even in winter. Celebrate winter by bundling up the family and enjoying a walk while traveling to work, school or play. Residents can get exercise, explore nature and the community, or even connect with a neighbour for a friendly chat. Walkers can post their pictures with the tag #journeyoutside.

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Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend

Friday

Snofest Family Swim (6:30 p.m. - Free) Sport & Wellness Centre

Saturday

Snofest Pancake Breakfast (9:00 a.m. - Free) East Peterborough Lion's Club

Wild Rock Outfitters: Nordic Ski Glide Wax Clinic (9 a.m. - $10/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

Snofest: SnoGames on Armour Hill (includes Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Hockey Shootout, SnoGolf) (10 a.m. - Free) Outside the Peterborough Museum

Wild Rock Outfitters: Snowshoe Demo (10:30 a.m.) Trent University Nature Trails

Trent University: Athletics Centre Community Open House (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Schedule) - Free)

Snofest: Chilli Contest (1:30 p.m.) Heritage Pavilion

Sunday

Wild Rock Outfitters: Classic Ski Lessons (10 a.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Stella Star of the Orient (10:30 a.m. - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

Wild Rock/B!ke Winter Group Bike Ride (12:00 p.m.) 

Wild Rock Outfitters: Skate Ski Lessons (1 p.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Letter for the King (1:30 - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Peterborough Snofest Winter Carnival Begins This Weekend!

Snofest gets underway this Saturday (January 8th) and runs through the 16th at various locations around the Patch. Opening ceremonies take place starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Lansdowne Place. Snofest has been an annual tradition providing entertainment and activities for the whole family for more than 30 years. Check out the Snowfest brochure for the event and location listings throughout the city during the carnival.  

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

[Snofest; chextvDOTcom]