Winter in the Woods Festival warms up Bragg Creek
Bragg Creek residents braved the cold Saturday to raise money for a local hot-spot.
The second annual Winter in the Woods festival was held inside -- out of -- of the hamlet's community centre.
The family friendly event included activities ranging from mini-sticks to music. You could even take a pony ride or try your hand at human curling.
"Winter in the Woods Festival is just a celebration of Alberta and all things winter," organizer Brian Robertson said.
"It's an amazing opportunity for us to come out and meet our neighbours in Bragg Creek and just to celebrate the season," resident Terri-Lynn Duque added.
The by-donation event was centred on fun and games, but there was also a nearby sheet of ice that'll benefit.
"We are out here trying to raise money to resurface the rink," Robertson said. "It hasn't been resurfaced since '05."
Almost 2,000 people showed up for the first iteration of the festival, and their donations helped update and maintain the rink and its fencing.
The goal this year was to bring in even more money to improve what some consider the heart of Bragg Creek.
"It's a big beacon for the community," volunteer Justin Duque said. "It's an important piece to keep everyone out here all year long."
The event was paid for, in part, by a local developer who wants more people to notice his community.
"Bragg Creek is the most beautiful place," Gateway Developments Dick Koetsier said. "We have to celebrate what we've got."
In total, the association is hoping to raise $40,000 this year to resurface the rink. To learn more, contact organizersat braggcreekrink@gmail.com
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Risk of a hard landing for Canadian economy is up, former Bank of Canada governor says
Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says Canada’s economy is at a greater risk of a 'hard landing' — a rapid economic slowdown following a period of growth and approaching a recession.

'Horrible, horrible deals': Trump criticizes Biden's visit to Canada
Former U.S. president Donald Trump shared his disdain for Joe Biden's visit to Canada, saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau treats the U.S. ‘horribly’ on trade issues.
Putin says Russia will station tactical nukes in Belarus
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans on Saturday to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, a warning to the West as it steps up military support for Ukraine.
'There's nothing left': Deep South tornadoes kill 26
Rescuers raced Saturday to search for survivors and help hundreds of people left homeless after a powerful tornado cut a devastating path through Mississippi, killing at least 25 people, injuring dozens, and flattening entire blocks as it carved a path of destruction for more than an hour. One person was killed in Alabama.
Officials: 2 dead, 5 missing in chocolate factory explosion
An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania on Friday killed two people and left five people missing, authorities said. One person was pulled from the rubble overnight.
Trump, facing potential indictment, holds defiant Waco rally
Facing a potential indictment, Donald Trump took a defiant stance at a rally Saturday in Waco, disparaging the prosecutors investigating him and predicting his vindication as he rallied supporters in a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement.
Canadians view own country favourably but many unsure about Canada's system of government: survey
A recent study by the Angus Reid Institute found Canadians view their country more positively than Americans do, but only a slight majority of people in Canada believe their system of government is good.
Declining suicide rates in Europe may be linked to increased preventative initiatives: report
Within the last decade the total suicide rate among European nations have decreased, according to a new report that says increased suicide prevention initiatives may have helped bring down this death rate.
Russia 'largely stalled' in Bakhmut, shifting focus, U.K. says
The top commander of Ukraine's military said Saturday that his forces were pushing back against Russian troops in the long and grinding battle for the town of Bakhmut, and British military intelligence says Russia appears to be moving to a defensive strategy in eastern Ukraine.