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Thousands of people stepped out to embrace the cold in Regina for the annual Waskimo Winter Festival on Monday.
The big new attraction at this year’s Family Day celebration was public skating, allowed on a section of Wascana Lake for the first time in 16 years.
Michael Wright and his three-year-old son John went straight there.
“It’s his first time skating and it’s a great introduction,” Wright said.
The festival is about embracing winter, something the pair were more than happy to do with the temperature hovering the -20 C mark.
“I like the fact that in our climate, that people complain about, we are taking advantage of a chance to be together in the middle of February and enjoy the weather,” Wright said.
“We shouldn’t complain about being here. We’re very lucky.”
Several other outdoor activities included the Sask Law Enforcement Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics, the Hole-ympics Outhouse Races, horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Festival organizer Jim Aho said he gets a sense of satisfaction in watching newcomers participate in what could very well be their first winters.
“To them it’s the exotic kind of experience. They’re gingerly stepping onto the ice, wondering if it’s safe. Taking selfies and videos and sending them back home around the world,” Aho said.
But for those who preferred to stay warm, there was an indoor carnival at the Conexus Arts Centre, with magic shows, reptile exhibits, even ax throwing.
