Event Schedule
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View the Park Play schedule [PDF - 627 KB] |
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The 2024 High on Ice Winter Fest is proudly presented by Peace Country Rentals with support from the following organizations:
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Opening Remarks and Mayor & Council Slide-off
This year we are going to host our Mayor’s slide off and opening remarks earlier to have our slides open and ready for the kids right at 4pm! We will have some fun starting our McElhanney Slide Counter count down clock and watch as council members race to the bottom to initiate the start of the slide counts. Want to join in the fun? Submit your guess in the Slide Count contest – see below for more details.
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Friday, February 16 |
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3:30 PM |
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Entrance to MNP Slides |
Single Block Carving Competition
Enjoy our professional carving team as they battle it out for the coveted first place peoples choice awards, graciously sponsored by JD Knives and Custom Designs and ConocoPhillips. Each artist is given two hours, and only one block of ice to create a masterpiece right in middle of the park. All weekend long, the community is encouraged to place their vote online or in person for their favourite piece. This year, one artist will walk away with a custom chisel donated by Jesse and his team of JD Knives and Custom Designs.
2024 online voting will be open from 6pm, February 16 to 5pm, February 18.
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Friday, February 16 |
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4 PM |
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Centennial Park - Formal Gardens |
The MNP Ice Slides
The MNP Ice Slides are back! Each year our carving team and site crew work diligently to build fun and fast slides for the community, and this year we hope to bring back another great ice slide. MNP always steps up to support this popular ice feature for the community and we are excited to have them take part again this year. If you see MNP staff in the park, challenge them to a race down the slides!
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February 16 - 19 |
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Open Friday at 4 PM |
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Centennial Park |
McElhanney Slide Counter Contest
Can we beat 12,695 slides this year??
In 2023, we asked McElhanney if they would help us create some data on how well used the ice slides are during the High on Ice weekend, and we thought – hey, why not make it a guessing game with a prize! We are so happy to have them back this year for another fun and exciting contest where we try to BEAT our number from last year! Join us in the park and take a guess at how many bums slide down the slide at our information tent.
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February 16 to 18 |
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Friday 4 PM to Sunday 6 PM |
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Centennial Park On the Ice Slides |
Urban Systems Lil' Chippers Wall
Urban Systems presents our fun filled Lil’ Chippers Wall! Join our recreation staff, volunteers, and drop-in’s with our carvers, to play, chip, and create with ice. This space will encourage kids (with parental supervision) to explore ice and create something beautiful. There will be sculpting tools, ice paint, shovels, and so much more to create with on Saturday and Sunday. *This area will not have carving tools on Friday evening.
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February 16 - 18 |
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Friday 4 - 8 PM - Ice Painting Sat & Sun 11 AM - 6 PM - Lil'Chippers Wall |
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Centennial Park In the Kids Zone |
The TUNNEL
Take a stroll through Fort St. John's newest interactive LED art installation - The TUNNEL - a BIG ART Work Tour produced by Creos. This internationally travelled temporary art installation will be in Centennial Park until March 3. Passing through The TUNNEL indicates the start of a journey beyond the known world into something transformative.
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February 16 - March 3 |
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10 AM - 10 PM |
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Centennial Park |
View the Ice Carvings and warm up at the Bonfire
Stroll through Centennial Park to view the ice carvings and warm up at the big bonfire. Staff will keep the bonfire going all weekend long! Check the detailed schedule for the many activities going on inside the recreation facilities and in other areas of the community. This are is use at your own risk, and we remind everyone to be careful near the fire pit.
* Heads up! Because of the beautiful weather you might see shade tarps protecting some of the ice sculptures when the sun and temperature are at their highest. We just want to make sure the carvings last through the weekend for everyone to enjoy!
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February 16 - 19 |
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10 AM - 8 PM |
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Centennial Park |
Frozen on Tap: Pizza, Performers & Pints
Presented by North Peace Optometry we invite everyone for an all ages evening of entertainment at the Festival Plaza. We will have pizza by the slice for purchase from Olio's Pizzeria, live performances and of course some amazing local pints with our local breweries. Mighty Peace Brewing and Beard’s Brewing will be onsite throughout the weekend with some tasty beers that they tap locally at their breweries!
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February 16 & 17 |
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Friday 6 - 9 PM (Beard's Brewing Saturday 6 - 9 PM (Mighty Peace Brewing) |
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Festival Plaza |
Festival Foodies with SD60 Band
Pop into the Festival Plaza on Saturday and Sunday where the SD60 Band will have yummy lunch options for purchase. Also, our friends and members of the Fort St John Association for Community Living will be giving out free popcorn.
Saturday lunch: Taco in a bag $5
Sunday lunch: Chili and a bun $5
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February 17 & 18 |
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11 AM - 2 PM |
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Festival Plaza |
Face Painting
Merwin Optical has proudly sponsored both Saturday and Sunday for free face painting! Saturday we will be joined by Sharon and Deanna doing winter themed designs. On Sunday, the Girl Guides of Canada are going to help us with this festival favourite. This area often gets busy, so dress warm as line up's may take place outside.
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February 17 & 18 |
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11 AM - 2 PM |
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Festival Plaza |
Closing Ceremonies Celebration - Sponsored by MVP Oilfield Services
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It’s a formality really, we are Canadian - saying thank you is in our DNA! Join us on Sunday around 4:00 pm as we begin to say a final thank you to everyone who made this amazing festival happen. We will announce the winners of the Single Block Competition, give out free hot chocolate and free eats, play games, light the Fire & Ice display!
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Sunday, February 18 |
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4 PM |
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Centennial Park - Stage |
BC Family Fun Day
The Festival will be winding down but the fun will continute at Centennial Park! Recreation staff will be on site with a variety of free activities including obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and more fun with ice! This event is free and brought to you by support from BCRPA and the Government of British Columbia.
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February 19 |
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11am - 3pm |
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Centennial Park |
The following Winter Fest activities are happening outside of the Park Play area. These activities are planned and run or sponsored by organizations and businesses in our community with support from the City events team. Most of the listed activities are free, however, some activities require pre-registration and a few require payment to participate ($).
Ice Lantern Making Workshop ($)
Join the ever talented Catherine Ruddell of Creatively Sustained for a workshop where you will learn to make your very own ice lanterns. |
February 11 |
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1-4pm |
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Pomeroy Sport Centre |
Community Ice Block Carving Workshop ($)
Want to learn to carve like the pros? We have a great opportunity to get outdoors and embrace winter living with professional ice carver - Ryan Cook! In this workshop participants will learn the art of ice carving, using the same tools the professionals use and network with the carving team! This year, this workshop takes place during the event weekend. Register online or in person at the Fort St. John Visitor Centre. |
February 17 |
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10am-2pm |
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Centennial Park |
Backcountry's Self Paced Ice Fishing Derby
Going ice fishing this family day weekend? Want to try and win some amazing prizes for your catch? Weigh-in your catch of the day at Backcountry from Friday, February 16 until Tuesday, February 20 before 5pm to enter some fun prize draws. Note: Backcountry is closed February 18 & 19 for the holiday weekend.
All ages are welcome to submit their "catch of the day" for a chance to win, however one entry per person, per fish measured. Fishing in outdoor spaces is at your own risk and requires a fishing license. Safety precautions on frozen lakes should be taken at all times.
Visit Backcountry during their regular business hours for more information, and to enter your catch during the weekend. Have fun, be safe, and maybe win some amazing prizes. Kids prizes from Backcountry are also available.
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February 16 - 20 |
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Regular Business Hours |
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Local fishing spots |
Free Family Day Weekend Snowshoe Rentals
It's the perfect time of year to bundle up, get outside and enjoy free snowshoe rentals from Friday through Sunday during High on Ice - Thanks to our Recreation Department! Snowshoes are available to signout at the Visitor Centre located in the Pomeroy Sport Centre. With five sizes available for rent, this is an activity you can do with the whole family!
Waivers are also required to be filled out by participants during the rental process. Note: rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Don't forget to grab the Snowshoe Information Brochure at the Visitor Centre while you're there. Also, a friendly reminder if you use the trails out at Beatton Park, make sure you stay off of the groomed ski trails, there are trails dedicated to snow shoeing - another great reason to grab a brochure on your way out for a winter adventure.
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February 16 - 18 |
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Regular Business Hours |
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Fort St John Visitor Centre |
North Peace Savings Presents: Free Community Horse Wagon Rides at Sunset Stables
Location: 6604 253 Rd, Baldonnel, BC V0C 1C0
North Peace Savings are proud supporters of this event, and this year they are sponsoring the free wagon rides. Join the warm and welcoming teams from Northern Horse & Mule Association and The North Peace Ride for the Disabled who will provide lovely wintery wagon rides right at their location near Baldonnel.
This was originally planned to be sleigh rides in Kin Park, however, the lack of snow required a slight change in plans.
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February 17 & 18 |
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12pm - 3pm |
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Sunset Stables 6604 253 Rd, Baldonnel |
Free Museum Scavenger Hunt
The North Peace Historical Society and Fort St. John North Peace Museum are proud to offer their space for their annual scavenger hunt and open house during the High on Ice Winter Festival again. With the amazing support from the Province of BC they are pleased to offer free transportation-themed scavenger hunts for you. Discover different modes of transportation across our northern climate from snowshoes to sleighs and float planes to helicopters. Search for transportation-related artefacts around the museum as a family, learning fun facts and short local stories about these items. Choose from our selection of prizes after completing your scavenger hunt! Explore the North Peace Museum for free on Friday, Saturday or Sunday! Also, ever wondered about our local history? Stop by their open house during this time and chat with the lovely staff and volunteers!
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February 16 | February 17 | February 19 |
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9am - 5pm | 11am - 4pm |
1pm - 4pm |
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Fort St. John North Peace Museum 9323 100 Street |
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Free Public Skating - all weekend long!
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Enjoy free public skating all weekend long during the Family Day weekend. We are so grateful for our returning event sponsors to support this intiative for the community, and we are happy to have a new sponsor on board to provide more free skating for you all. Rental skates are available directly through Hard Edge Sports during their regular operating hours.
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February 16 | February 17 | February 18 |
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4 - 7pm | 12-3pm |
1:30pm - 3:30pm 4:30pm - 6:30pm |
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Pomeroy Sport Centre 2nd floor Oval |
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Fort St. John Curling Club: Mukluk Bonspiel ($)
The annual Mukluk Bonspiel is happening again at the Curling Club! This spoting event includes Friday night team activities and a dinner and dance on Saturday night. Register your mixed team by emailing fsjcurlingclub@telus.net.
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February 16 - 18 |
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Various times |
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FSJ Curling Club |
Makers Market with the North Peace Cultural Centre
Join the North Peace Cultural Centre in the first ever Makers Market on Saturday during High on Ice. You will find a variety of hand makers, artisans, artists, and other vendors you've come to love in our community there selling their goods and sharing the things they love.
Don't worry, we still want there to be free fun for you, so here are some free activities during this time:
- Century21's Jami Grahn and friends are proudly sponsoring and providing a free drop in fiber art craft in the meeting room and they are super excited to share with you some fun ideas with a winter twist!
- Demos with the North Peace Spinners and Weavers: stop in the multi-purpose room and sit with our local artists and learn about the art of spinning, weaving and the tools they use! You can try weaving on the Community Banner project while you're there.
- HennaDesigns with Shahab will provide FREE henna tattoos to children and women in support of High on Ice. Learn more about Shahab's culture, explore the beautiful designs and leave with your very own piece of art.
All youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is first come, first served, while supplies last.
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February 17 |
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2pm - 6pm |
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North Peace Cultural Centre Makers Market |
Free Drop-in Para Hockey & Broomball
Our amazing friends at Northern Adaptive Sports are back again this year to host free drop-in Para Hockey & Broomball. Limited sledges are available for this extremely popular activity, so make sure to take turns with the equipment and everyone can try this fun and engaging sport!
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February 17 |
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3:15pm - 5:30pm |
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Pomeroy Sport Centre - West Rink |
Free Bouncing Beans Session
Bring the family down for this free play session that features a variety of sports equipment, ride on toys, and bouncy castles! Kids can build forts, play games, crawl through tunnels, and so much more!
Indoor shoes/sock feet required for all attendees (parents/guardians included).Guardians are required to supervise children at all times.
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February 18 |
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11:30am - 3pm |
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Kids Arena Fieldhouse |
The Lido Theatre: Laugh Your Ice Off Comedy Night ($)
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February 16 |
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8 - 11pm |
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The Lido Theatre |
Peace Region Motorsports Association Presents: Ice-X Races
Want to take your driving skills to the test? Join the Peace Region Motorsports Association as they set up another amazing track on Charlie Lake to race on ice. This event is open to everyone, SXS-Cars- SUV's, helmets and safety meeting for all drivers required. New registrants will receive FREE registration through funding from the High on Ice Micro Grant Program. Please note, this event is weather dependant and all caution should be used when exploring outdoor frozen lakes. For more information, reach out to the Peace Region Motorsports Association. Spectators welcome at their own risk.
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February 17 & 18 |
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10am - 4pm |
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Charlie Lake (use at your own risk) |
Free Family Day Ski Rentals with WhiskeyJack Ski Club
WhiskeyJack Ski club is back again this Family Day weekend with an afternoon of free ski rentals. Join them at their lodge in Beatton Park and try some Nordic skiing for the first time, or brush up on your skills! The volunteers will have their trails groomed, skis waxed for a great winter day with family.
Waivers are required for all ski rentals and trails are use at your own risk.
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February 19 |
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12pm - 3pm |
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Beatton Park - WhiskeyJack Ski Lodge |
Free Family Day Swim
Don't forget your towel and swimwear on you way to Centennial Park because Pembina Pipelines has sponsored the FREE Family Day Swim at the North Peace Leisure Pool!
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February 19 |
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1 - 4pm |
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North Peace Leisure Pool |