City of Cranbrook council Dec. 10 approved funds and in-kind support to allow for the creation of a downtown Winter Festival on Baker Street on February 16 (2019).

Council agreed to a request by Community Services director Paul Heywood for $24,000 and in-kind support for the winter sport and downtown entertainment showcase.

Heywood explained the BC Family Day long weekend festival idea stemmed from last summer’s ban on fireworks, which included a quiet night sky on Canada Day.

“Restricted to a winter display of fireworks, council asked that we formally develop a new festival in the winter months that would bring the community together once again,” Heywood said in a report, noting city staff has spent the last seven months looking for outdoor activities, and programs, that could be presented “within the city, that would engage the citizens, garner interest from other communities, raise our profile and encourage tourism to Cranbrook.”

Residents and visitors can expect an exciting event, Heywood said, thanks to securing the talents of X Games double gold medal, free-stylist snowmobiler, Brett Turcotte, and bronze medalist Cody Borchers, and Daniel Shaffer “who have developed a high-flying freestyle snowmobile show.”

The event will be staged on Baker Street from 9th Ave South.

“We will set up several ramps on the street, with pyro-technics attached to the ramps, creating a night time spectacle that will be similar to the popular Nitro Circus events that are presently touring North America, drawing tens of thousands of spectators. Brett Turcotte’s crew will perform two shows that are 20 minutes long for the crowds. A professional stage, with three bands will also entertain the audiences, with food trucks and several downtown restaurants providing hot drinks and food to the crowds,” Heywood described.

Additionally, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) and the Choice will also present a snowboard rail show with professionals showcasing their tricks to the crowd.

“Overall, it will be a showcase of winter sports and entertainment in downtown Cranbrook, that we can build upon each year with different athletes, and events,” Heywood said.

And the big bangs lost to the continued and explosively tinder-dry forest fire season will resonate again downtown.

“The entire event will culminate with a massive fireworks display along the sight-line of the water tower at the end of Baker Street. The fireworks will be launched from the rock quarry behind the city ‘s Public Works building. With the rock quarry as the site, which is free from any hazards, we will be able to launch the largest fireworks Cranbrook has ever seen,” Heywood reported to council.

Downtown businesses will be able to get in on the act, he continued.

“Several restaurants will also be setting up outside patios surrounding the event, providing people with warm food, beverages and comfort for their children. Working alongside a local non-profit group, we will also be running a large outdoor bar that will surround the ramps, and a live music stage. With the anticipation of large crowds on the holiday weekend, possible mild weather, and the spectacle of the events, we think the bar, restaurants and downtown businesses have the potential to make a lot of revenues to offset costs,” he said.

“We will look to the Cranbrook Snowmobile Club for volunteers and on-street displays. They have also agreed to help be part of the event crews, setting up the sizeable event alongside city public works crews, and taking down the event at the end of the night. We will be securing sponsors from Polaris, Monster Energy drinks, Cranbrook Tourism and several other local businesses who have already expressed interest in supporting the event.”

Heywood told council that he is pursuing grants to support the event, which will cost approximately $48,500.

Sponsorships ($3,000), grants ($6,000), potential bar revenues ($5,000) and the Canada Day fireworks grant carried over from 2017 ($11,996) will mean the taxpayers’ share will be approximately $24,000, plus in-kind support for the event, Heywood reported.

“Support will be required from Public Works staff to ensure the safety of the crowds and preparation of the area for the event. The weather conditions will play a role in the amount of support needed,” he added.

Television coverage is also a good possibility, Heywood said.

“We will once again turn to Sportsnet and TSN in the hopes of securing a TV crew to return to Cranbrook and film the event. A local videographer will also be on site to create a video reel of the event that we can post on numerous sites to promote the event for next year,” he said.

Council members expressed excitement about the upcoming event after unanimously approving the funding request.

“I am excited to see it will be all downtown. It’s exactly what we need,” said Coun. Norma Blissett.

Noting he was pleased to see possible national television exposure again, Mayor Lee Pratt said the festival announcement was “good news.”

Coun. Mike Peabody, a Baker Street business owner, declared conflict of interest and did not vote.

Lead image: Brett Turcotte in action. YouTube image

– Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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