Waskimo fest returns minus the sled dog tournament

Waskimo Winter Festival is set to return to Regina for the second consecutive year on Family Day Monday.

However, organizers say the lack of snow cover on Wascana Lake has caused concerns.

“While there is sufficient snow on parts of the east lake for most events to continue, one attraction has been rescheduled to next year: the Brandt South Saskatchewan Sled Dog Championships,” organizers said in a news release.

Festival spokesman Jim Aho said while the cancellation is disappointing, the current conditions are just too dangerous for the dogs to race on what is essentially bare ice up along Wascana Creek and east out of the city.”

He expects the event to be rescheduled to next year, marking the return of sled dog racing to Wascana Lake after more than 30 years.

Wascana Centre will be testing and measuring ice thickness this week to ensure public safety, but on Feb. 19, members of the public are still asked to avoid any areas of bare ice as it can be slippery and dangerous for foot traffic.

Waskimo is the only day each winter that the public is allowed onto the ice.

This year’s event will see the return of the Hole-ympics outhouse races, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow cricket, cross-country skiing, fat bike races, snowshoeing and a variety of other activities.

Inside the Conexus Arts Centre, organizers are staging a children’s carnival with entertainment for kids of all ages.

The outdoor festival on Was can a Lake was reborn last February after a 14-year hiatus caused by the Big Dig.