Marcelino Encourages Manitobans to Participate in Many Manitoba Winter Activities, Festivals

January 28, 2011

Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino today reminded Manitobans to partake in the many winter events and festivals beginning soon across the province.

“Our government is a proud supporter of winter festivals and events, which strengthen our communities economically and socially,” said Marcelino. “They add a sense of excitement and great community spirit to our Manitoba winters.”Activities taking place at some of these festivals include Métis music and games at Festival Manipogo in St. Laurent, and tube slides and sleigh rides at the Lockport Children’s Winter Festival. The Lieutenant-governor’s Westman Regional Winter Festival combines food and entertainment from 13 different countries at its cultural pavilions in Brandon.

Winter festivals supported by the provincial government include the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival, Feb. 16 to 20 in The Pas; Canadian Power Toboggan Championships, March 5 and 6 in Beausejour; Festival Manipogo, March 4 and 5 in St. Laurent; Beaver Days, Feb. 18 and 19 in Falcon Lake; Churchill Aurora Winterfest, March 19 to 27; Cormorant Métis Days, March 16 to 20; Leaf Rapids Winter Carnival, March 17 to 20; Lockport Children’s Winter Festival, Jan. 29 and 30; Grand Marais Winter Family Festival, Feb. 11 to 13; Lundar Winter Carnival, March 18 to 20; the Lieutenant-governor’s Westman Regional Winter Festival, Feb. 3 to 5 in Brandon; and Winnipeg’s Festival du Voyageur, Feb. 18 to 27.

“Community events highlight the great enthusiasm we have for local culture and heritage in our province,” said Marcelino. “They energize local communities and draw tourists from across the province and beyond.”

Since 2003, the Manitoba government has recognized community festivals as important annual events. The Community Festivals and Events Support program helps fund rural and northern community festivals and provides consulting services for festival organizers.

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