Brand new wintry event 'Frost Fest' set for Jan. 20, 2024

It's not exactly a revelation to say downtown Penticton has a history of being rather, um, monotonous in the cold months.

But the times they are a-changing.

Last January, the city secured the BCHL All-Star Game at the SOEC and all the associated festivities at the downtown outdoor ice rink. All of it will be back again this January, running the 19th through the 21st.

Just a couple weeks later it'll be the celebration of inclusion called the SnakeBite Film Festival, and then four weeks after that the 11th annual OneWorld Festival, Feb. 24th at the Lakeside Resort.

Then in late March it's the third annual Ignite the Arts Festival, taking place throughout the downtown core.

And we can't forget the merger of the Santa Parade and Downtown Light Up that unfolded just last weekend. It was called "Magic on Main Street" and it debuted to big crowds and heady reviews.

Indeed, real live people have continued to hang out in the 100 block of Main ever since (traditionally a rarity after September) to stroll though the awesome new light tunnel that'll remain in place for some time yet.

And now, Pentictonites and visitors alike will have a new reason to head downtown in the midst of the off-season. Just officially announced today and running in Gyro Park Jan. 20th, simultaneously with the BCHL event at the rink next door, will be the inaugural "Frost Fest Winter Carnival."

The one-day event will feature stuff like a "rail jam" ski and snowboard competition (where contestants out-trick one another while riding on and above a rail), a kids’ activities and crafts station, a small snow sledding hill built onto the Gyro Park bandshell, a disc jockey, multiple food trucks and an (adult) beverage garden.

"Penticton has a long history of hosting incredible outdoor events," said City sport and event supervisor Jeff Plant, "yet most of them take place during the peak summer months. Here’s our opportunity to give residents a reason to get outdoors and have some fun right here in downtown Penticton this winter."

The rail jam event could theoretically be quite spectacular. According to the City, "top skiers and snowboarders" will compete on a custom-built rail jam structure that’s 17 feet high and about 100 feet long and covered in snow.

The "snow sledding hill" should be fun for the young and young at heart. According to Plant, "We'll push snow up to the bandshell stage and make a small sliding hill under the light canopy (that was installed for the Light Up)." Could make for some great visuals.

Meanwhile right next door at the (still unnamed) outdoor rink, there'll be a variety of All-Star Weekend hockey games and hockey competitions from early morning through late afternoon. The City says visitors/spectators can travel freely between all activities in Gyro and at the rink and even take advantage of "warming stations" along the way.

More details are expected in the next few weeks. For up to date info, hit up the Frost Fest web page here.