Jan. 04, 2012 - Issue #846: Year in review
Hot frozen
Deep Freeze fest heats up Alberta Avenue
» Carvin' some ice
"I think it's fair to say there's something for everyone," says the festival producer gleefully, after reeling off a program that stretches from snowy games to French-Canadian snacks to mummers, with more than you can imagine in between. "It's going to be very interesting, fun and family-friendly ... a blend of arts, culture and sport."
Now in its fifth year, the two-day fest gets underway this Saturday at noon with street hockey tournaments, curling, live music, chainsaw ice-carving, wagon rides and more, scattered along three closed blocks of 118 Avenue between 92 and 94 Streets. While Saturday has a distinctly Francophone feel with cabane à sucre (maple syrup served on snow) and competition de boucheron (log cutting), by Sunday we're across the ocean to the Ukraine for traditional dance, music and food—perogies anyone?
"A brand new element this year is the Cool Runnin's Deep Freezer Race," Morin effuses. "We've gutted freezers, bolted skis to the bottom and taken off the lid. We tried it out the other day and they're actually very stable; it's really good fun."
Teams of five can sign up to join in the races, where three people leap into a specially-modified deep freezer (having strapped on their own helmets) while their accompanying teammates give them a good push. As well as the new, organizers have stuck with all the long-standing festival favourites: the Saturday night dance (surf themed); ice skating, snowshoeing and other outdoors sports; the artisan market and gallery; and the annual mummers play contest.
"It's great to come along if the post-Christmas blues are kicking in—the whole community should come and be part of it," Morin says. "Everything is pay-what-you-can, along with donations to the Food Bank."
With a whopping 14 000 person attendance in 2010, the snowstorms of last year dampened visitor numbers, but Morin is hoping for 2012 to be a record-breaking year. "If we could get 14 to 18 000 I'd be very happy," she says. With her quirky blend of outdoor activities, arts and music and melding of cultures, she might just get her wish.
Deep Freeze Festival
Sat, Jan 7 – Sun, Jan 8
118 Avenue
deepfreezefest.ca
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