Youngsters L-R Sabrina Forth, Calista Forth, and Veronica Forth appreciating the ice sculptures at the Third Annual Winter Festival, 2004.
Anniversary Park, just across from the Rec Centre, transformed into the Arctic Village, featuring a straw maze, fire pits, open lake skating, and horse-drawn sleigh rides, creating a charming winter scene for festivalgoers. A highlight of the day was the polar bear dip, with local RCMP, council members, and Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership (YELL) members braving the icy waters to raise money for the YELL program. The excitement continued with the Exhibition Hockey Game, which pitted Rocky View Fire Services and RCMP members against the local men’s team, “The Wannabes,” in a friendly yet competitive match to support the Chestermere Food Bank.
The day wrapped up with the “Fire and Ice” gathering, where attendees enjoyed a bonfire, a children’s lantern walk, and a fireworks display lighting up the winter night. On Sunday, the festivities continued as the Second Gear Club hosted their annual motorcycle ice race on Chestermere Lake.
The Chestermere Winter Festival has evolved over the years into the Winter Lights Festival we know today, marking the start of the holiday season on the last Saturday in November. Whether referred to as the Winter Festival, Winterfest, or Winter Lights Festival, the spirit remains the same. This popular event continues to bring the community together, filling Chestermere with lights, activities, and holiday cheer. From its early days with ice fishing and turkey bowling to the dazzling light displays of today, the festival embodies Chestermere’s continued tradition of community, celebration, and connection.
Marla Forth taking part in the Turkey Bowling, Third Annual Winter Festival, 2004.
The Chestermere Winter Festival, established in 2002, has grown from a modest gathering into a cherished community tradition. Now held annually at John Peake Park, the festival has endured Alberta’s unpredictable winter weather to provide residents with an event filled with family-friendly activities, competitions, and community spirit.
The inaugural festival faced challenging weather conditions that started bitterly cold but warmed enough to create pools of water around the park. Nonetheless, more than 40 anglers joined the “catch-and-release” ice-fishing tournament, with local 14-year-old Dan Adrian landing a 64 cm pike, just surpassing the legal-size limit. Adrian’s prize, a boat cassette player and speakers, was donated by Mobius Marine, marking the beginning of Chestermere’s tradition of generous sponsorship.
By 2003, the festival had expanded significantly, with new activities like a free pancake breakfast, sponsored by Chestermere Landing, and a sno-pitch tournament. The ice-fishing tournament drew an impressive 95 participants, and Trevor Ferguson won the grand prize of a power ice auger donated by Bow River Paving and other local businesses. Turkey bowling, a fun and quirky highlight hosted by the Chestermere Lions Club, attracted over 300 participants each day, with frozen turkeys donated by local markets. The curling fun spiel welcomed teams from as far as the Yukon, while local ice carver Lee Ross wowed crowds with his sculptures.
The third festival in 2004 faced freezing temperatures that forced the cancellation of some outdoor events, but dedicated volunteers adapted to ensure the festival continued. Turkey bowling, the Kids’ Activity Centre, and an ice-fishing tournament still drew enthusiastic crowds. Kevin Soltys of Calgary won that year’s fishing tournament with a 63.5 cm pike, taking home a Jiffy power auger. Returning attractions like Michael Berends’ magic show and the Chestermere Skating Club’s figure-skating demonstration brought warmth and excitement to the chilly event.
The 2012 Winterfest in Chestermere brought the community together for a full day of winter-themed activities across several locations, showcasing just how much the event had expanded since its early years. Starting with a pancake breakfast at the Chestermere Recreation Centre, the day offered a wide range of activities for all ages. At Chestermere Lake, the fishing derby saw participants competing in the cold while, children took part in the lively 25-Yard Daddy Dash on the soccer field. Inside the Recreation Centre, the “Frost Free Zone” kept families entertained with a caricature artist, a balloon artist, children’s crafts, and a performance by children’s entertainer Greg T, known as “That Crazy Magic Guy.”
