Posted on 01/30/2010, 9:05 am, by mySteinbach

Manitoba’s winter festivals are a great opportunity to enjoy the province’s winter wonders and experience the numerous opportunities to enjoy the province’s diverse cultures and communities, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino announced.
 
“Winter festivals around the province bring entertainment during our long winters and offer unique ways to sample the treasures of our province,” said Marcelino.  “I hope Manitobans get out and enjoy the winter festival experience.”
 
The province supports major winter festivals including the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival in The Pas and Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg which, this year, is helping celebrate Manitoba Homecoming 2010.
 
The province also provides support to smaller winter community festivals which are signature annual events in their communities.  The following festivals have received funding:  Beaver Days (Falcon Lake), Churchill Aurora Winterfest, Brochet Caribou Festival, Cormorant Métis Days, Leaf Rapids Winter Carnival, Lockport Children’s Festival, Grand Marais Family Festival, Lundar Winter Carnival, the lieutenant-governor’s Westman Regional Winter Festival, the Canadian Power Toboggan Championships and Festival Manipogo in St. Laurent.
 
Applications for 2010 northern and rural Manitoba summer festivals are being accepted under the Community Festivals Support Program until April 1. Further information, can be found online or by calling 204-945-3766.
 
Events at the Trappers Festival take place at many locations in and around The Pas and include dogsled racing, ice-sculpture lessons, chainsaw contests and dances.  For information on the Trappers Festival, visit www.trappersfestival.com. Festival du Voyageur events can be found at www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca.