The annual Trapper’s Ball is once again returning to liven up the Canmore Winter Carnival.
The trapper-themed party is set for Feb. 9 at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall with live music by Maritime Kitchen Party, silent auction, log sawing competition, prizes for best costume and the Mad Trapper’s Dash. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by contacting event organizer Tracye Lambertson at 403-609-1373 or at [email protected]
Proceeds from the Trapper’s Ball will go to support the Canmore Rotary House.
Lambertson said Monday (Jan. 28) the Rotary Club has committed to organizing the ball for the next three to five years to give it stability and at the same time, allow it to grow.
“It used to be one of the highlights of the winter festival. It was one of the original community parties. It was one of the times the community came together and they laughed and had a great time,” Lambertson said. “It really is one of the town’s iconic events.”
The Mad Trapper’s Dash, which pits individuals or teams of four against one another in a madcap snowshoe race on the downtown ski track in front of the Canmore Hotel, will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The downtown ski track will go down on the evening of Feb. 6 and be in place until Feb. 12.
As part of the relay-style dash, racers will have to run the course wearing snowshoes carrying a 50-pound pack, while stopping at stations to complete a trapperesque task, such as log sawing. Pre-registration for the dash is required and can be made by contacting Shane Jonker at 403-678-8107.
Lambertson said the organizers are also hoping to bring back a presentation of the Shooting of Dan McGrew.
The Canmore Rotary House, which is shared equally with the Calgary SCOPE Society for its Holidays of Hope program, is seeing increasing use. Women and children escaping domestic abuse represented the majority of those stays, Lambertson said.
Anyone looking to donate items for the silent auction can contact Lambertson, as well.
The winter festival opening will take place Friday (Feb. 1) with a lantern parade beginning at the Canmore Civic Centre at 5:30 p.m.
Other festival events include:
Exposure 2013 Outdoor Photography screening in the vacant lot beside the Bow Valley Credit Union on Main Street Friday (Feb. 8) beginning at 7 p.m.;
Kid ‘n’ Mutt Races Saturday (Feb. 9) on the downtown snow track from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., advance registration required, $5 fee, 403-678-8839 or [email protected];
log sawing competition Saturday (Feb. 9) at 3 p.m. in the Canmore Civic Centre plaza, register at The Last Call;
ice carving competition, Saturday (Feb. 9) Canmore Civic Centre plaza, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
snow sculpting, Sunday (Feb. 10), Main Street, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., advance registration required, $5 fee, 403-678-8839 or [email protected];
curling on the pond, Saturday (Feb. 16) 10th St. pond, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., register in advance by emailing [email protected]
