The Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival will celebrate the winter season in all its frigid glory this February 16 to 20. The annual festival takes place in The Pas, a small historical town with a mean annual temperature of -0.3° C, and a seven hours drive north of Winnipeg.
Rather than huddle inside against winter’s bite, residents and visitors in Northern Manitoba are invited to embrace the cold and partake in traditional events like dog races, ice fishing, a snowshoe marathon and the Cordwood bonspiel. The festival also offers more unusual contests in beard growing, arm wrestling, and best beer belly.
When the cold brings on an appetite, refreshments are plenty. Starting with a traditional pancake breakfast to kick off the day, attendees can also enjoy the Beerfest pub crawl, baking contests, coffee house, tea shack and native foods buffet.
Other highlights include logger events, snow and ice sculptures, the crowning of King and Queen Trapper, and a contest involving the curious and elusive ice worm.
More information is available on the festival website.