Coldsnap is transitioning to Francofun, gleefully slipping down an ice slide from one to another.
These are two of Prince George's gems of local culture, frozen together by the Downtown Winter Carnival.
Sunday is when these three midwinter festivals all meet in the middle.
"Everyone is invited to join our celebration of winter from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.," said Colleen Van Mook, executive director of Downtown Prince George (DPG), the host agency for the Downtown Winter Carnival.
"Bring your hockey sticks to join a fun road hockey game, get inspired with our snow
sport demonstrations, give the Snow Slide a whirl, enjoy a ride on the Cottonwood Express or test your talents at snow art and activities."
One of the features is a treat-maker tournament. DPG has assembled teams from the local business community to offer unique versions of a Canadian camping classic - the s'more. These won't be your average examples of chocolate and marshmallow melted between two graham wafers. These will be creative and undoubtedly delicious variations on that theme.
"While you are indulging in these traditional outdoor treats, you can be witness to a spectacular showcase of snow carving art that will feature award winning talent from international sculptors, Peter Vogelaar and John Mckinnon," said Van Mook.
She added, "For your shopping pleasure, we invite you to wander through the wonderful Legion Winter Market or our local Prince George Farmer's Market. Our fabulous exhibitors and local merchants will be offering a little something for everyone. Delight your taste buds with fun and tasty food choices in our unique outdoor winter food court."
The action is centred at City Hall and northwards up George Street.
There's musical action the night before all the downtown action. Coldsnap Winter Music Festival artistic director Sue Judge explained the transition.
"Coldsnap wraps up Saturday night at The Ramada with (a concert event entitled) Ensemble Nous Clbrons Nos Festivals d'Hiver! This popular event is the handoff to the Festival d'Hiver and it features Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, Les Chauffeurs Pieds and opening ceremonies with the French Connection."
Thanks to some coordination efforts in previous years, this end is also the beginning.
The torch is passed from Coldsnap hands into the waiting grasp of Le Cercle des Canadiens Franais de Prince George (CCFPG). The Ramada concert is the official kickoff to the Festival d'Hiver - also known as the Francofun Winter Festival.
The Sunday events downtown are part of that progression.
CCFPG executive director Jeff Daniel Nze Memiaghe explained how it continues on from there into the long weekend and beyond.
"A senior CCFPG member lunch will be organized on Monday (Family Day in B.C.) at the Lakewood Alliance Church," he said.
"Then, five school workshops will be organized in different francophone and French immersion schools in Prince George. These school workshops will be presented by a francophone music band - Christine Tassan et les Imposteures - from Tuesday to Thursday. There will be a CCFPG francophone art exhibition at UNBC on Wednesday. This art exhibition will end on Feb. 28. Additionally, a French Canadian movie will be presented at CNC on Thursday."
This is the 32nd annual occurrence of the Francofun Winter Festival, and it comes to an official end on Feb. 18 with a traditional sugar shack brunch at
St. Mary's Hall (1088 Gillett St.).
