TRURO – The opportunity to be outdoors and enjoy all of what Mother Nature has to offer is reason enough to become involved in next week’s Truro Winter Long John Festival, says the town’s mayor.
“This is an opportunity to get the family outside and just appreciate what’s in (Victoria Park),” said Bill Mills. “To get out and get some fresh air and some exercise, in particular, and meet some people, and I think that’s what the whole gist of it is and I think it’s a good one.”
Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture is hosting the week-long event, beginning Sunday. It features skating, snowshoeing, sledding, wagon rides and many more indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
“The kids certainly enjoy it,” said Mills. “And our age group, which is 55 plus, obviously have to get more active, so this is a good way to do it.”
New this year is a Winter Walk Day celebration, featuring a family walk followed by a movie on Feb. 8, beginning at 6 p.m.
Mills said the family walk is an event many people should participate in.
“It’s just good, clean outside fun, so you can’t beat that,” he said.
The Truro Bearcats junior A hockey team is also getting in on the action, offering $6 tickets to tonight’s game against the Pictou County Weeks Crushers (Colchester Legion Stadium, 7:30 p.m.) Also, anyone wearing long johns to the game will have the chance to win a prize.
“The reason we want to encourage participation and involvement in the long john festival is there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into those events and you really want to see them grow to a point that they attract a lot of people from outside the area,” said Debbie Brown, event coordinator for the Bearcats.
As is tradition, the festival will kick off Sunday with a coasting party at the Francophone Centre from 2 to 4 p.m. at 50 Aberdeen St. Participants are asked to bring their own sled and enjoy coasting and free hot chocolate, weather and snow conditions permitting.
Event schedule changes due to weather will be posted on the Truro Daily News website, www.trurodaily.com.
Following is the schedule of events:
Sunday, Feb. 3
1 to 2:30 p.m. – Family skating at Colchester Legion Stadium, $5 per family.
2 to 4 p.m. – Coasting party, Centre Communautaire francophone de Truro (Francophone Centre), 50 Aberdeen St. Bring your own sled. Free hot chocolate.
Monday, Feb. 4
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Free pre-schooler skating at Colchester Legion Stadium.
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Free seniors’ skating at Colchester Legion Stadium.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Community outdoor skating party at Victoria Square with free hot chocolate.
Tuesday, Feb. 5
7 to 8:30 p.m. – Free adult recreational basketball at Truro Elementary School.
7 p.m. – Guided snowshoe walk in Victoria Park. Meet in the Truro Junior High School parking lot. A limited number of snowshoes are available to borrow. Call 893-6094 to reserve or email cvonkintzel@truro.ca.
Wednesday, Feb. 6
7 p.m. –Snowflake crafting with members of the Marigold Guild of Needle Arts. All materials provided, Douglas Street Recreation Centre. Cost: $5. Pre-register by Feb. 5 by calling 893-6078.
7 p.m. – Let’s Heat it Up,Truro Art Society’s members’ show being launched at the McCarthy Hall Gallery, NSCC Truro, 36 Arthur St.
7 to 8 p.m. – Free open gym time for children at Truro Junior High School.
8 to 9:15 p.m. - Free adult recreational badminton at Truro Junior High School.
Thursday, Feb. 7
9:15 to 10:15 a.m. – Free seniors’ skating at Colchester Legion Stadium.
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Free pre-school skating at Colchester Legion Stadium.
7 to 8:30 p.m. – Free recreational badminton at Truro Elementary School.
8 to 9:30 p.m. – Free adult recreational ball hockey at Douglas Street Recreation Centre.
Friday, Feb. 8
6 p.m. – Winter Walk Day. Put on your long johns, grab your flashlights and enjoy a Family Festival Frolic. Walk from Douglas Street Recreation Centre, through Victoria Park and back to the centre for hot chocolate and a movie. This year’s festival feature is the Oscar nominated movie “Brave.”
6 to 8 p.m. – Free open gym time for children at Harmony Heights Elementary.
Saturday, Feb. 9
10 a.m. – Guided, group snowshoe walk in Victoria Park. Meet in the parking lot at Truro Junior High School.
2 to 5 p.m. – Family fun at the Truro Farmers’ Market building. Skating (ice and weather permitting), horse and wagon rides around the civic block, music and hot chocolate.
2 to 5 p.m. Join the Truro Model Railroaders Association for an open house at the Old Normal College, Prince Street. Everyone welcome.
Visit www.trurodaily.com for full schedule of events and watch the Truro Daily News for daily listings and updates.
