BADDECK, N.S. — All the motivation you need to get off your couch and into the great outdoors is found in the vast schedule of events for the Victoria County Embrace Winter Festival.
Guided hikes, Heritage Day activities and sliding parties are just some of the events and activities taking place throughout the upcoming winter weeks.
“I would say the biggest one taking place throughout the entire day is the Heritage Day event in Baddeck, mainly because it is an entire day of all different types of events,” said Lydia Kerr, recreation and active living co-ordinator for the Municipality of the County of Victoria, about the Feb. 17 activities.
“I think almost all of them are completely cost-free.”
Activities held in conjunction with the provincial holiday will include archery, curling, and snowmobile rides.
“That event itself is more of a family day oriented event, so it really is encouraging families to get out because there are such a range of activities. It just kind of keeps people really busy and allows kids to try out a lot of different activities.”
This week, Victoria County released its Embrace Winter 2020 schedule that highlights those Heritage Day activities and also offers information on guided snowshoe activities, skiing and musical events.
Kerr said the poster contains mere "snippets" of the many events and activities on the go. While all encourage fun in social settings, she said the events also serve to get people active during the colder months of the year.
“It is kind of just letting people know ‘hey, this is going on, why not go check it out,’“ she said.
“Winter just makes it so much easier for people to be sedentary … but there is just so many opportunities and if we are prepared and if we bundle up it can be just as great as heading out for a hike in the summertime.”
Embrace Winter promotions also note Victoria County Transit service as an option to get people to some of the events on the schedule this winter.
“I know transportation, especially in rural areas, is a huge barrier for many people and that’s been a successful program,” she said.
“We’d like to celebrate that and hope that it can help with things like this, too. I know there’s a lot of factors when it comes to participating and that kind of helps with that.”
Contact Kerr online at [email protected] for details on these and other Victoria County programs or call 902-294-0063.
VICTORIA COUNTY EMBRACE WINTER 2020
Hike Nova Scotia Guided Snow Shoe Hikes
Feb. 15 - 10 a.m., Warren Lake, Ingonish. Bring your own snowshoes
Feb. 22 - 7 p.m., North Highlands Nordic, Cape North. Registration cost $10, includes trail fee and light snack. Bring your own snowshoes or call 902-383-2479 to reserve a pair.
Bay St. Lawrence Winter Fest 2020
Feb. 15-23. Events include a free sliding party and youth paint night. Check out the Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre Facebook page for more information
Heritage Day 2020 in the Village of Baddeck
Feb. 17, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Events will include archery, curling, snowmobile rides by Crowds Mountain Snowmobile Club and other events.
Baddeck Library
Feb. 19, 2 p.m. Heritage Day presentation with Joan McInnes
Iona Heights Inn
Feb. 15, 22, 29. Visit the Iona Heights Inn for a Ceilidh matinee.
Ski Cape Smokey
Feb. 15-16. Racing Miss Barker Cup
Feb. 19, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tubing
Cabot Shores
Feb. 15. Valentine’s weekend, three-course dinner and concert with Jordyn Musycsyn
Feb. 16-17. Nourish: A restorative winter experience. Visit www.cabotshores.com to register.
Victoria County Services
Baddeck Library Gear Loan program. Cross country skis, snowshoes, ice grips, and poles for walking. Call 902-295-2055.
Questions regarding recreation or active living? Contact Lydia Kerr at [email protected]
