Snow much fun

Hundreds embrace Evangeline Winter Festival

Crowds had plenty of options during Evangeline Winter Festival.

Hundreds pulled on their warm winter coats and toques to see blocks of snow brought to life outside Evangeline School last weekend.

The snow-sculpting contest, now in its second year, was all part of the annual Evangeline Winter Festival that kicked off Saturday.

Natalie Arsenault, Noella Richard, and June Ellis worked together on a Charlie Brown and Snoopy sculpture from the “Peanuts” comic strip.

“Once the sculpting is finished then we will paint it,” commented Arsenault, while chiselling through the snow. The group had been working for several hours on their cool work of art.

Seven groups competed in the sculpting contest for the chance to win prizes of $250, $150, and $100. Sculptures included dolphins, a ship, truck, Sponge Bob Square Pants, a lion, a squirrel, a home, birthday cake, and owls. Professional snow sculptor Eric Blais was on hand to help. “I came with my family from Quebec just to be here for the Evangeline Winter Festival,” said Blais who was on the judging panel for the snow-sculpting contest.

Blais has 12 years of snowsculpting experience and has won several awards including, third place at the Quebec Winter Carnival. Activities continued inside with arts and crafts, fun games, lunch prepared by the Evangeline 4-H Club under the supervision of La Grub a Felix, and the Bunny Trails Pet Ranch. Inside, Lorraine and Melvin Gallant shared weaving and spinning skills.

“I’m making a sash right now to wear over a shirt,” replied Lorraine, while weaving brightly coloured yarn on a small wooden machine.

“It’s a pastime we enjoy, and we sell our handmade clothes such as socks and knits at Abram-Village craft fair.”

On a table opposite were a collection of intricate carved wooden boats and a log cabin dollhouse made by Georges Arsenault.

Details down to the dollhouse lamp, rocking chair, shingles on the roof, rifle, axe, oars, miniature furniture, stone fireplace to name but a few, were not overlooked in the creation of the display.

The winter festival was organized by the Évangéline cultural federation and the school board for the community of Evangeline.

TC MEDIA PHOTO “Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!” Families enjoy being pulled through the fresh blanket of snow at the Evangeline Winter Festival Sunday with Rodney Gallant and his black gelding, Tim. “Hundreds of kids have been on the horse and...

TC MEDIA PHOTO An incredible log cabin dollhouse made by Georges Arsenault. Details down to the dollhouse lamp, rocking chair, shingles on the roof, rifle, axe, oars, miniature furniture, stone fireplace to name but a few, were not overlooked in the creation of the...