Celebrating winter, building community: Langdon’s Winterfest

Laureen F. Contributor  

Times Contributor    

 

Wintertime has brought Winterfest to Langdon. The Langdon Community Association is hosting the town’s first Winterfest, Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2, with all proceeds going to the new community playground. This mi-winter celebration offers fun for everyone – families, couples and singles; seniors and youth; parents and children, quiet and energetic, young and not-so-young.

Sno-Pitch, a slow pitch tournament in the snow, runs both Friday and Saturday at Winterfest. It’ll be a special treat for those who can’t wait for the regular season slow pitch season to return – and for everyone else who’s ready for outdoor fun.

Later Friday evening, it’ll be time for the Charity Poker Tournament. Chrissy Craig, with the Langdon Community Association, says poker tables will be set up for players of all ages and ability levels. 

“If you’ve never played poker, you can come on out and learn,” she said. “If you’re experienced, there’s tables for that as well.” 

Poker participants can call Shawna Weir-Murphy at 403-629-9124 to register and pay the $10 entry fee. Every player will have the satisfaction of raising money for a cause that benefits the entire town, and the top five winners will receive a liquor basket prize.

Residents can then take in the Saturday morning pancake breakfast, before shopping at the craft fair and enjoying free wagon rides.

Lunchtime will bring the soup and chili making competition, which Craig says will “show the great cooking talents in the community.”  

For only $5, Winterfest-goers can try as many soups and chilis as they like, and vote on the top three. 

“There’s awesome prizes,” for the contestants, Craig says, “over $200 worth.”

Festivities will be capped off at the Saturday night Winterfest Dance, 8 p.m. to 1 p.m., with the Room to Dance band. People can get their $10 tickets at the Langdon Liquor House. The Langdon Community Association is directing all Winterfest benefits toward building a new community playground, since, a year ago, the old one was declared unsafe. 

This year, in fact, all money the Community Association brings in will go toward that project. 

“A new playground is just over $100,000,” Craig says. That includes a new structure and all new gravel. 

“We… have (raised) about $15,000 since January 1,” she said, and she’s personally determined they’ll make it this year. 

“I myself have two little ones,” she says, “so it’s something that’s dear to my heart.”

To make Winterfest as much fun as possible, become a volunteer. Dealers and bartenders over 18 years of age, are needed for Friday and Saturday nights. Pancake breakfast helpers are needed on Saturday morning. 

“Any volunteers are greatly appreciated. The more the better,” said Craig. Call Rob at 587-580-9090 to volunteer. On March 1 and 2, bring your family and friends to the red building in Langdon’s main park, and join the community in celebrating Langdon’s first Winterfest.