CARP – The cold is hear and the Huntley Community Association (HCA) is bringing back a Carp tradition because, you can either hide from the cold, or celebrate it.

The Carp Winter Carnival is back, and it arrives Saturday, Feb. 29.

“It’s been at least 10 years,” HCA President Judy Makin told West Carleton Online. “It’s a traditional event and we wanted to bring it back and celebrate winter. It’s a great way to get the neighbours together.”

The event is not a fundraiser as the HCA received a Civic Events Grant from the City of Ottawa to put it on “that will go a long way to covering costs.”

All events at the carnival will be free and there’s an igloo full of them. Not everything has been finalized yet, but events will be held all over the village.

Events will include snow sculptures, outdoor rink skating, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, a playoff hockey game, a chili competition, hot chocolate, and more.

Mess Hall – 2240 Craig Side Rd.:

• Fire pit – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Chili contest – local restaurants and groups – 12 p.m.
• Trivial Pursuit – following lunch
• Euchre
• Rock painting with Carp Rock Lady Melissa Masse

River Trail (behind Mess Hall, Diefenbunker):

• Ski clinic – 10 a.m.
• Snowshoeing and skiing – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ball Diamond (behind Mess Hall) – ball games, all ages

Outdoor Rink (Fairgrounds, Juanita Avenue):

• Free skate time, learn to skate
• Hot dogs, hot chocolate

Carp Fairgrounds:

• Sleigh Rides (starting at the Outdoor Rink)
• Make a snow creation (Small horse ring)

Soccer Field (Langstaff Drive):

• Learn soccer skills – 10 to 11 a.m.

Huntley Curling Club – (Carp Fairgrounds):

• Come in and watch, ask questions, warm up – 12 to 3 p.m.

W. Erskine Johnston Arena – (Carp Fairgrounds):

• West Carleton Inferno Junior Hockey Club Playoff Game (kids free) – 8 p.m.

Many more events are expected to be scheduled between now and the last day of February and the whole community is getting involved.

“We’ve approached the scouts, the girl guides, the Inferno (junior C hockey team), the Huntley Community Club, the West Carleton Skating Club to name a few,” Makin said. “We’ve got a lot of people helping out. It’s the only way to do it. There’s going to be so much going on, it will be hard to do it all.”

To get the most up-to-date events for the HCA Winter Carnival, click here. If you would like to volunteer for the festival, please message the HCA at info@hca-carp.ca with your contact details.