More than 150 Events Scheduled for Sixth Annual FROSTival
Celebrating winter is becoming a tradition in Fredericton. The city launched its sixth annual FROSTival on January 18th, and it will last until February 4th.
A record-breaking number of indoor and outdoor activities are scheduled this year.
“It started with 50 events six years ago, and we’re well over 150 now over three weekends,” says Stacey Russel, the assistant manager for Fredericton Tourism.
Among the 150 events is the outdoor beer garden, which offers visibility for local producers.
“These events are key to introducing people to our products because most people don’t know what mead is,” says John Way, co-owner of Pollen Angels.
Mead is a honey alcoholic beverage. Way’s mead is available at a few restaurants in Fredericton, including Isaac’s Way and Wolastoq Wharf.
Eleven restaurants in the capital region also take part in FROSTival. For Dine Around Freddy, they offer three-course meals for $31.
“It’s a great way to be able to experience some of the fine dining restaurants at a low price,” says Russel.
540 Kitchen & Bar also displays an ice sculpture of its logo besides its front door. It is one of many ice sculptures created and displayed across the city during the festival.
Russel says thousands of people take part in FROSTival each year including many from outside the city and even outside the province.
“And what we try to encourage is for somebody to come and make a full weekend of it. So, you start, for example for today, you’d start at the Fredericton Boyce farmers market or whatever other great farmers market. Continue downtown, maybe take a skate at Officer’s Square. Head over for some hopped yoga. You could catch up some of the roller derby.”
Roller derby was part of the festival for the first time this year. Athletes from Eastern Canada faced off at the Capital Exhibit Centre.
Russel says the festival has something for everyone, young and not as young anymore.
