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Ice carving, snowshoeing tours and a host of other quintessential Canadian winter pastimes are now in full swing at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, which launched a new outdoor program this weekend.
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Sarah Pratt, interim communications coordinator for the garden, said admission to the All-Canadian Winter event includes a number of activities such as snowshoeing, kick-sledding, a snowball toss, an opportunity to shoot a hockey puck and a chance to try some maple taffy.
Visitors can also enjoy live music and grab a cup of hot chocolate to enjoy around a fire.
The event runs every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 13.
“You can do as much or as little as you want depending on who you are, the age and the size of your family,” said Pratt. “I imagine if you have kids and you were like, ‘Where can we go out, have some fun, and get some energy out and get some fresh air,’ it’s a great destination for that.”
The garden is also offering three special activities on various days, including Talking Rock Snowshoe Tours with Keith Diakiw, a Métis geologist who will take registered guests on a tour through the alpine and Indigenous gardens.
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“I actually went with him … on a dry run of the snowshoe tour and took some photos and it was fantastic,” said Pratt. “He’ll take you on a tour up to the old growth forest where he talks about the Indigenous people’s connection to the Earth and to Mother Nature.”
The guided tour is available only through registration online and costs an additional $30. The tours are 90 minutes in length are available on Feb. 5, Feb. 26 and March 5 at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Pratt said ice carving lessons are being offered on Feb. 12, 13, 19 and 20 in 15-minute time slots from noon to 4:30 p.m. The lessons cost $5 and advanced registration is needed when purchasing your general admission to the event.
Dog Days at the Garden will also be taking place on March 12 and 13, when all dogs are welcome on leash. The Dynamo Dog Sport Allstar Entertainment Group will on hand to highlight some talented dogs and owners with two demonstrations a day at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Due to COVID-19, the event is selling timed entry passes on the garden’s website. Guests will need to provide proof of vaccination and their ID along with their timed entry ticket when they arrive.
Anyone interested can purchase tickets on the U of A Botanic Garden’s website by hovering over the events tab and clicking on All-Canadian Winter 2022.
The garden is located on Hwy. 60, about five kilometres north of Devon.
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