2021 Riverview Winter Carnival to kick off Feb. 5

RIVERVIEW (N.B.) – It’s official: Riverview Winter Carnival is a go for Feb. 5 to 14, 2021!

“Planning has been a challenge and we’ll have fewer events than usual but we think this year’s Carnival will still inspire lots of great family fun!” says Carnival spokesperson Ash Arrowsmith, who also serves as the Town of Riverview’s Community Recreation Coordinator.

A highlight of Maritime winters since 1975, Riverview Winter Carnival embraces ice and snow during 10 days of outdoor adventures and old-fashioned play. 

This year, Carnival organizers are closely following provincial Public Health guidelines to ensure proper COVID-19 protocols are in place for all events. 

“If we’re still in the ‘red phase’ of the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan, some events won’t happen,” said Arrowsmith, noting as an example Crokicurl, a game using curling stones and crokinole board game rules on an outdoor ice surface. “But we’re finding lots of ways to get creative and adjust. There will be no shortage of fun!” 

One of the key events of this year’s Riverview Winter Carnival that will happen regardless of the COVID-19 recovery phase is the Snow Sculpture Challenge, scheduled for Feb. 5 to 7. The Town of Riverview is issuing a challenge to residents of all ages to build snow gnomes and other fantastic snow sculptures in their front yards or their neighbourhood park!

“All you need to get started is any type of snow – even powder snow – a bucket, a spoon, and a little creativity,” says Arrowsmith.  

Residents can enter a photo of their snow creations into one of three categories for a chance to win prizes: 

• Creative Snow Sculpture: Prizes will be awarded by a panel of community judges, with top prize consisting of a winter adventure weekend getaway to Alma in a heated yurt with snowshoe rentals. 
• Gnome Snow Sculpture: Prizes in this category will be awarded via a random draw, with top prize consisting of a dinner for your bubble at Five Bridges Bar and Grill. 
• Community Snow Sculpture: Prizes in this category will also be awarded via random draw, with top prize consisting of summer 2021 season passes to Magic Mountain.  

(For complete challenge details, including a full list of prizes, snow sculpting tips, and instructions on how to receive a free Snow Sculpting Kit – available in limited quantities for Riverview residents – visit http://www.townofriverview.ca/snowchallenge)

Other outdoor activities and virtual events planned for Riverview Winter Carnival will include: 

• Snowshoeing Under Starry Skies, Mill Creek Nature Park: Pack a mask, some hot chocolate, a head lamp and take someone in your household for a nighttime adventure under the starry skies of Mill Creek Nature Park! The snowshoe/fat bike trail loops are marked with new reflective blazes to accommodate evening adventures all winter long! For more info, visit https://www.townofriverview.ca/millcreeknaturepark
• Riverfront Trail Light Display: Enjoy Light Up Riverview, the Town’s holiday lights display, which has been extended this year and will remain on from dusk to dawn until Feb. 14! Be sure to wear a mask when you and your bubble members take a stroll along the dazzling, tree-lined Riverfront Trail. For more info, visit http://www.townofriverview.ca/lightup
• Youth Drop-in: Learn to Snowshoe: On Feb. 6, 11 and 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., youth aged 11-17 are encouraged to drop into our dedicated Youth ZOOM room to get a snowshoe tutorial with Parks and Recreation staff and learn how to safely navigate local trails! For more info, visit http://www.townofriverview.ca/youthdropin  
• Try Yoga: Join certified yoga instructor Tammy MacDonald on Sunday, Feb. 6 and 14 at 10 a.m. for a free class of yoga via Zoom. This class, for all fitness levels, will guide you through a yoga flow. For more info, visit http://www.townofriverview.ca/tryyoga
• Virtual Bonfire with the Fundy Biosphere Reserve: Break out the marshmallows and get cozy for a virtual bonfire with the UNESCO designated Fundy Biosphere Reserve! Learn helpful outdoor and hiking advice, as well as some crafts and activities to try out yourself at your next bonfire. For more info, http://www.townofriverview.ca/virtualbonfire 
• Online Story Time with the Riverview Public Library: Cozy up for winter-themed stories, songs and a craft with the folks from the Riverview Public Library. A link to this online story time will be posted on the library’s Facebook page at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. For more info, visit http://www.townofriverview.ca/onlinestorytime

During this year’s Riverview Winter Carnival, participants are invited to help support the Albert County Food Bank by donating a non-perishable food item by dropping it off by Feb. 16 at the Town of Riverview Parks and Recreation Office, 55 Biggs Dr., Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The Town of Riverview wishes to thank Crokicurl sponsor SE Mutual Insurance, Snow Sculpting Challenge sponsor Home Hardware, and our communication sponsors Q103 FM, New Country 96.9 FM, and Pickle Planet Moncton.