Mackenzie brought its top game when a CBC camera crew visited the community on Saturday getting footage for this year's Hockeyville contest.
From snow sculpting the World's Largest Tree Crusher into a giant Zamboni to homes and businesses decorated in the spirit of the occasion to games on outdoor rinks, Morfee Lake and the town's main road, the crew had plenty to work with.
As many as 300 people braved the -28 C chill for form the welcoming party when the crew arrived on Friday evening. And nearly as many came back the next day when there was more lighting to re-enact the event.
The culmination was a charity game between the local midget team and one made up of RCMP members and volunteer fire fighters that filled the arena to standing room only with about 550 people.
"It was certainly a weekend that will not be forgotten, for sure," said Steve Rooke, one of the organizers. "The community support was just phenomenal."
Now, all Mackenzie can do is wait and see if it emerges as one of the two finalists out of the Pacfic region. CBC will unveil the names on March 8 and from there a nation-wide online vote will be held to help narrow the field down to one from each of the five regions.
But they're keeping the buzz alive by continuing to post photos, stories and expressions of support on the Kraft Hockeyville website and the "Mackenzie is Hockeyville" page.
A team will also be heading north to Fort Ware this weekend for a hockey game.
