AMHERST, N.S. — As it has for nearly two decades, Amherst is set to host a week-long party to celebrate being active and living healthy despite the season.
As easy as it would be to stay indoors as much as possible in the dead of winter, Amherst is busy preparing for its annual Winter Carnival that will once again celebrate Heart, Culture and Play with a Carnival Twist.
“Our goal is to have people get out and be active, even if it’s cold,” culture, events and marketing co-ordinator Jennifer Bickerton said. “Dress for it and enjoy the weather.”
The festival runs from Tuesday, Feb. 11 through Heritage Day on Monday, Feb. 17 with numerous events throughout the community including at the Amherst Stadium and the downtown skating rink on the corner of Maple and Victoria streets as well as the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre on Ratchford Street.
Festivities kick off with the official launch on the 11th from 9 to 11 a.m. at the business innovation centre, while the Sand Hill Historic Walking Trail Exhibit begins at the Cumberalnd County Museum at 1 p.m and the town’s athletic achievers reception is at 6:30 p.m. at the business innovation centre.
Amherst is hosting mentalist Kevin Robart at the business innovation centre on Friday, Feb. 14 while Saturday will be the busiest of the carnival with the annual chili challenge at Dayle’s Grand Market, where Deputy Mayor Sheila Christie will attempt to defend her championship from both 2018 and 2019.
The Flag Day ceremony will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. with an outdoor skating party from 1 to 3 p.m. with hot chocolate available free of charge to participants. People are encouraged to support the environment by bringing their own mugs, but the town will have cups for those who don’t.
The annual Valentine Run will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at West Highlands Elementary and the Amherst Stadium will host the Cumberland County Minor Hockey Association’s novice jamboree with eight teams participating.
Thanks to the town’s no-fee youth ice program, the CCMHA will save more than $2,000 in ice time costs.
Amherst is also hosting its family bowling event at the King Pin Bowling Lanes on Gerard Avenue on Heritage Day with sessions at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. People are urged to call the recreation office to pre-register for a time.
The 17th will also see the Heritage Day Classic between the Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers and the Miramichi Timberwolves at 2 p.m. with the Ramblers winter carnival skate to follow the game.
As well, the winter carnival will also feature the walking challenge with this year’s destination being Amherst Island near Kingston, Ont. During the week, people are asked to chart how many laps of the stadium track they complete with all the laps being added up to achieve the distance. Five laps of the track are one kilometre.
“There will be lots to do,” the town’s well-being manager Cheryl Laliberte said. “Usually when you turn the corner from January to February many people get the winter blues. The goal of this is to come out and enjoy the cold with family and friends. You get to laugh and celebrate. One of the key things is, besides the mentalist, pretty near all the events are free.”
Last year’s carnival featured more than 100 events and organizers are confident they’ll meet, or exceed, that number this year.
“Something we’re encouraging is for people to take photos of themselves outside doing fun winter activities,” culture, events and marketing co-ordinator Eileen Davage said. “We’ll get them to submit them and we’ll hold a draw for prizes.”
