Frost Regina is back for its second year.
The 10-day festival, which takes place from Friday through Feb. 12, encourages those living in the Queen City to get outside of their homes and embrace the cold winter climate they live in.
The ice carving is underway. @FROST_ReginaSk #IceSculpture #IceCarving #Regina #Saskatchewan #Canada #YQR pic.twitter.com/ADEa8v8Bof
— Nicholas I. (@nickiatro) February 2, 2023
REAL president and CEO Tim Reid feels that while organizers held the inaugural Frost event last winter, this year’s will be a much different experience.
“I think this is really going to be our first true Frost,” he said Thursday. “I think this is going to be an opportunity where people know what it’s about, people should embrace it and most importantly we won’t be afraid to be together.
“I think this is an important time in our city and a time where we should celebrate together. We’re a great community, we’re a cold community and we need to celebrate like the best winter cities on the globe.
“I think we’re going to start that this year and, out of COVID-19, I think this is really our first true start.”
Last year, 80,000 people turned out for Frost, but this time around, Reid thinks it will be a much bigger turnout.
There will be a new drink at @FROST_ReginaSk this year.#Regina #Saskatchewan #Canada #YQR #drink pic.twitter.com/hkYWzDvXZm
— Nicholas I. (@nickiatro) February 2, 2023
To make sure everyone in the city can embrace Frost, events and activities have been scattered to different areas throughout the city.
Events will be taking place at REAL District, downtown at Victoria Park, in Wascana Park and in the Warehouse District.
Events at Wascana Park will feature free programming for kids and their families. There will be a rink on Wascana Lake to skate on, as well as dog-sledding, horse-powered sleigh rides and more.
The Warehouse District will allow people to explore some of the historic buildings while looking at ice sculptures and light projections. There will also be live music.
Downtown will have a skating rink at Victoria Park and will also have fire pits spread around to keep people warm. Those taking parts in the activities downtown can also listen to Indigenous stories and check out some art installations.
REAL Distirct will be the main headquarters for the event, but people will have to pay up to $17 because Glow is taking over the exhibition halls.
For those who don’t know what Glow is, it features exhibits with colourful lights and displays.
But tickets will get people more than just Glow; it will also allow them to see Confederation Park and the activities there. REAL has planned for a snow maze, ice slides, ice sculptures, a dome bar and a street hockey rink to be built there.
Tickets will also get people access to the Brandt Centre, which features an ice show taking place on Friday and Saturday. Former Olympians Elvis Stojko and pair skaters Michael Mariano and Kirsten Moore-Towers are to showcase their skills.
Stojko said he’s excited to be back in Regina for Frost and people can expect some new moves.
“I have a brand-new number I just put together, so I’ll be showcasing it here before I do it on tour later on in the spring,” he explained. “It’s a new thing to get out there and try out in front of the audience, which is exciting.
“I know a number of skaters have put together some new numbers, especially for this. It’ll be exciting and it’s an upbeat show.”
The show lasts about 35 to 40 minutes.
Elvis Stojko is back in Regina to perform at @FROST_ReginaSk. #Regina #Saskatchewan #Canada #YQR #FigureSkating pic.twitter.com/tbTBw1zexF
— Nicholas I. (@nickiatro) February 2, 2023
“It’s wonderful to be back,” Stojko added. “Having my wife (Gladys Orozco) run it is great; it’s sort of a family thing. It’s her baby and REAL asked if she’d put together the show and she said yes.
“She’s been working her butt off putting it all together to also have some local skaters come in. There’s a great group of us coming together to put on a great show for everybody.”
A full schedule for Frost can be found here.
— With files from 980 CJME’s Nicholas Iatropoulos