Guide to Feb Fest 2013

There are two times a year that I like having snow: Christmas and Feb Fest.  So far, Mother Nature has answered my call but now I think we need to start doing some kind of snow dance to make sure we’ll have what we need to make Feb Fest reach its full potential.  Many of the events taking place do not require snow, just keeping the mercury hovering around freezing will keep things going, but my favourite parts of this annual event include the snow sculpture competition, the snow maze and the ice slides.  So here’s hoping we get another dump in the next week (I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this…spring can start asap after that).  In addition to the list of events below, the four days of Feb Fest will also include Beaver Tails, wagon rides and A Toast to Tapas.  So come out of hibernation for a few days and get out and enjoy some wintery fun downtown.

Thursday, January 31st
9am-11:30am: Public skate at Market Square.
12pm-1pm: Opening Ceremonies with the Mayor and the Town Crier followed by a Sledge Hockey game between The Kingston Knights and a team of local celebrities at Market Square.
12pm: The Annual 24 Hour Snow Sculpture Competition between Queen’s, RMC and St. Lawrence engineers begins at Confederation Basin.  This year’s theme is The War of 1812.
1pm-10pm: Public skate at Market Square.
7pm: The Carr-Harris Cup, the annual rivalry game between the Queen’s and RMC men’s hockey teams at The K Rock Centre.  Tickets are $5.

Friday, February 1st
All day: The snow maze and snow slide will be open for kids of all ages at Confederation Basin.
12am-12pm: The Snow Sculpture Competition continues at Confederation Basin.  Official judging at noon.
9am-10pm: Public skate at Market Square.
11am-3pm: Watch as candy is made using only local Maple Syrup.  Location tba.
2pm: Snow Sculpture winner announced at the Market Street stage.
5pm-9pm: Live music at the Market Street stage.  Bands tba.
6pm: Original Hockey Hall of Fame dinner and hot stove at The Ambassador Hotel featuring Harry Sinden, Wayne Cashman, Marcel Dionne, Pat Stapleton, Brian Glennie & others!  Click here for more info.
7:30pm: The Fronts take on the Barrie Colts at the K Rock Centre.  Tickets available here.
7:30pm: Louis Lortie and Hélène Mercier will perform the piano music of Mozart, Schubert, Ravel, Rachmaninoff and Liszt at The Grand Theatre.  Find more info and tickets here.

Saturday, February 2nd
All Day: The snow maze and snow slide will be open for kids of all ages at Confederation Basin.
8:30am-5pm: Hockey Day in Kingston – watch Kingston’s up-and-coming hockey players on the rink at Market Square.
11am-3pm: Watch as candy is made using only local Maple Syrup.  Location tba.
12pm-1pm & 2pm-3pm: Autograph signing with hockey legend Eddie Shack at Market Square.
4:30pm-5:30pm: Watch as The Frontenacs try to outdo each other in a skills competition at Market Square.
5pm-6:30pm: Live music at the Market Street stage.  Bands tba.
5:30pm-6pm: Skate with The Frontenacs at Market Square.
7pm-8:30pm: Watch as RMC defends their title in the 45th Annual Historic Hockey Series, a celebration of the first game played in Kingston in 1886.
8:30pm-9:30pm: Live music continues at the Market Street stage.
8:30pm-10pm: Public skate at Market Square.

Sunday, February 3rd
All Day: The snow maze and snow slide will be open for kids of all ages at Confederation Basin.
8am-9am: Market Square rink is closed for practice for Imagination on Ice.
9am-12:30pm: Public skate at Market Square.
1pm-2pm: Imagination on Ice, an ice skating show featuring World and Canadian Champion Jeffrey Buttle and local figure skaters, will take place at Market Square.
2pm: The Frontenacs take on the Sarnia Stings at The K Rock Centre.  Tickets available here.
2:30pm: The Kingston Symphony performs their 4th Masterworks concert of the year: Traditional and Contemporary, featuring the music of Mozart, Schumann, and Canadian composer John Weinzweig.  More information and tickets available here.
2pm-10pm: Public skate at Market Square.

Thanks to jnicholls357 for the photo accompanying this year’s guide. Sourced from our ever-growing Flickr pool!