As a part of the Atlantic Lottery team, I have the great privilege of learning about the myriad of community initiatives happening across Atlantic Canada each year. 

There may be an expectation that community events quiet down as the weather gets colder, but believe it or not, the fun doesn’t stop when temperatures plummet. The winter months were a busy time for festivals and events in every corner of our region, from the southern tip of Nova Scotia all the way up to Labrador.  

We were proud to sponsor initiatives all winter long spanning various themes, including outdoor recreation, comedy, literature, music and the environment. There was something for everyone, and we’re thrilled to help our partners bring communities together all year round. Let’s explore some of the initiatives that took place this winter:  

1. Campbellton Sno-Fest  

Snow is the main ingredient in this longstanding celebration of all things winter in Campbellton, New Brunswick. From February 27 to March 2, participants enjoyed outdoor activities at the Sno-Fest Village in Sugarloaf Provincial Park. Those that caught a chill after playing mini putt, bowling or giant tic-tac-toe in the snow could warm up at the fire pit with hot chocolate or seek out some indoor live music and entertainment. A walk through town demonstrated just how many local organizations take part in the festivities, hosting special events such as art gallery exbibits, community luncheons and workshops.

 

2. Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl 

Atlantic Lottery is a major sponsor of the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl. This festival is a salute to the hardworking individuals in the province’s lobster industry. February is peak season along the south shore for this famously delicious crustacean, which is why the Crawl runs all month long from Peggy’s Cove down to Barrington Passage. Things kick off with the festival’s mascot, Lucy the Lobster, crawling out of the ocean on February 2nd to predict the arrival of spring – a quirky regional take on Groundhog Day. Things only got more exciting (and tasty) as the month went on with lobster roll dinners, seafood chowder competitions, and lots of toe-tapping entertainment.    

 

3. Corner Brook Winter Carnival’s Multicultural Fair 

Corner Brook Winter Carnival is dedicated to celebrating winter, as well as the town’s vibrant local community. Each year the carnival comes to town, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to get outside and enjoy local customs, traditions and culture. We were proud to sponsor the festival’s Multicultural Fair, which took place on March 1st. With a mission to celebrate newcomers, this free all-ages event directly tied back to the festival’s focus on community pride. Attendees enjoyed food, crafts, music and fashion that reflect the cultural diversity within the region.

 

4. Winterval 

In recent years, Winterval in eastern Prince Edward Island has become the talk of the Town of Three Rivers. Over the course of one epic January weekend, residents and visitors enjoy a bustling family skate, an evening snowshoe along lighted trails and live music and trivia at local restaurants. Other activities to cross off the winter bucket list include building a bird box, competing in an axe throwing competition and balancing through a snow yoga session. There is so much to choose from during Winterval, we wish it lasted all winter long!

 

5. Maple, The First Taste of Spring 

Few experiences are as sweet as visiting Maple, The First Taste of Spring. Kings Landing is a 300-acre living history museum that depicts 19th-century rural life in New Brunswick. The museum typically runs from June to October but opens its gates for two special off-season weekends in March when tree-tapping season begins. Local celebrate the province’s rich maple syrup history with a traditional sugaring demonstration and explore the grounds by foot or by a horse-drawn wagon ride before digging into a long-lick (maple candy on snow) or a stack of pancakes smothered in this local liquid gold. 

 

6. Happy Valley-Goose Bay Winter Carnival 

The annual winter carnival is a real feather in the cap of Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s Department of Community Services and Recreation. February can be a bitterly cold month for the largest northern population center in Atlantic Canada, but this three-day event always warms the spirits. There are many events for all ages throughout the carinval, from family skates to snow sculpture contests.

 

7. Festival de la Mi-Carême  

Le Festival de la Mi-Carême, also called the Mid-Lent Festival, is a celebration that can be traced back to the French Middle Ages. Historically, participants dressed up in costumes and went door-to-door as their neighbors tried to guess their identity. According to the Centre de la Mi-Carême, local Acadians are the last to continue this fabled custom. Throughout the festival, the Centre organizes square dancing, live music and mask-making workshops. Located in Chéticamp, this festival is nestled in a picturesque Acadian fishing village on the western edge of the world-famous Cape Breton Highlands. 

 

8. Fusion Charlottetown Earth Week 

While spring has officially sprung, the weather most days has us feeling like we are still in the middle of winter. So why not highlight one more event that’s still to come while we wait for warmer days? Earth Day is an annual event each April that advocates for environmental protection, and Fusion Charlottetown Earth Week has activities planned from April 20 to 26 to help the local community take action. This initiative is filled with opportunities to learn about easy and impactful environmental practices, such as trail clean ups, seed exchanges, and climate action panels. It’s the perfect time of year to celebrate our planet and work towards a greener future. 

 Do you have a community initiative that needs support?  

Atlantic Lottery accepts sponsorship applications all year long. More information, including funding restrictions and the application form, can be found here: www.alc.ca/sponsorships.