Staff are hoping to spread some cheer this weekend as they host the second Chill-Out event.
Geralyn MacDonald, director of community development, and Kim Dickson, communications director for the Town of New Glasgow, said excitement is building for the event which is getting media coverage throughout the province.
They said they were pleased with how much of a success the event was last year and are expecting even better results this year as they pair the celebration with the grand opening of the New Glasgow Farmers Market winter structure where the event will be hosted this year. The building was constructed with support from New Glasgow as well as the Municipality of PIctou County, ACOA and the New Glasgow Farmers Market.
“People can get an idea of what the market is going to look like in the winter months and I think they’re going to be very pleased with that,” Dickson said.
She said there is truly something for everyone at the Chill-out event.
“There’s lots of different activities from seeing the wonderful vendors at the market to all the outdoor activities to the chili cookoff to the skating.”
There will also be live music by EB Anderson as well as Amelia Parker.
MacDonald said the idea for Chill-out came last year as the town looked for a way to kick off winter carnival season.
“It exceeded our expectations the amount of people that showed up and the energy and the community spirit.”
She knew right away it was something they’d want to do again.
To be able to tie it in with the opening of the farmers market’s new building is ideal because it allows the people who would come out to Chill-out to see what the market offers and allows those at the market to take part in Chill-out she said.
One of the most popular aspects last year was the ice sculpture by Chef Giles Godin of a snowman.
“It was truly a work of art,” MacDonald said.
This year he’ll be back to sculpt a snowflake.
Keltie Butler, executive director of Farmers Markets Nova Scotia, is looking forward to attending the ribbon cutting for the market building. She said it’s great to see the way the community, particularly municipal leaders, have supported the farmers market in New Glasgow. She said with the new building it is one of the largest of 10 operating year-round in the province.
“It’s an illustration to me of what can happen when people work together,” she said.
Butler believes firmly in the importance of year-round markets.
“What we’re learning in Nova Scotia is that eating local is not just something we can do in summer and fall.”
What’s special about farmers markets like the one in New Glasgow, is they become more than just a place to shop, but also a place for people to socialize.
She said it’s great to see the way the New Glasgow Farmer’s market is also embracing community programming at the site with cooking demonstrations and other activities planned for the future.
Schedule of events
10 a.m. Winter market opens
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Snowshoeing
10 a.m. Ice sculpture of a large snowflake by Chef Giles Godin
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Music by fiddler Amelia Parker
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snowman building competition
10:30 p.m. Ribbon cutting and grand opening of building
11 a.m. Children’s storytelling corner with author Sandi Rapp
11 a.m. Chili competition and taste testing opens
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Outdoor music by EB Anderson
12 p.m. Children’s storytelling corner with author Sandi Rapp
12:45 p.m. Chili competition closes and winners announced
2 – 3:30 p.m. Free skate at North End Rec Centre
6:30 – 8 p.m. Free skate at West Side Community Centre
Chili Cook-off competitors
New Glasgow Firefighters
Doug Dort
Brian Cameron
Art MacLean
Chefs
Chef Giles Godin, NSCC, Pictou Campus
Chef Jason Conway, J Conway Catering
Heather Campbell, Blue Heron Catering
Media
Jackie Jardine, Advocate
Adam MacInnis, The News
John LeBlanc, ECFM/Classic Rock
