Winterfest may not have been all that wintery, but it was definitely festive!

Plenty of families came out for the Town of Gull Lake run event, for a pancake breakfast, trade show, wagon rides, and more. 

The day started early as the breakfast kicked things off at 9 a.m., cooked up by Bruce Bigson, president of the Elks Club, and other Elks members. 

The rec hall was filled with plenty of early birds getting their fair share of flap jacks. The rec hall was filled with plenty of early birds getting their fair share of flap jacks.

"We've been doing the pancake breakfast ever since the Winterfest started a few years back," said Gibson. "All the gang gets together and gets busy making pancakes for the morning." 

After breakfast, people were able to wander through the trade show, take in some minor hockey, and enjoy the wagon rides around town. 

The tradeshow was a great attraction, featuring food, jewelry, crafts, and more. The tradeshow was a great attraction, featuring food, jewelry, crafts, and more. 

By the time lunch hit, various local eateries and restaurants had joined in the main hall with their menus prepped and ready for the hungry masses. 

Once lunch was gobbled up, kids were able to watch, join, and laugh along with the Danny Kazam show. 

Mr. Kazam levitates a volunteer child in front of hundreds of children.Mr. Kazam levitates a volunteer child in front of hundreds of children.

Later, once the show wrapped up, a pie-eating contest made some serious mess as younger individuals suited up in garbage bags. They attempted to eat their pudding pies the fastest without the use of their hands. 

This technique won this young lady the competition the previous two years. Unfortunately, she was dethroned by another pudding powerhouse. This technique won this young lady the competition the previous two years. Unfortunately, she was dethroned by another pudding powerhouse.

After the contests were over, plenty of whipped cream-covered faces went running to the washrooms to wash up and... you get it. 

Victory in the boys category was bitter, but also way too sweet. Victory in the boys category was bitter, but also way too sweet. 

Outside was full of fun throughout the day as well. Not only were the wagon rides a non-stop popular attraction, but the fire pit and s'mores also hauled in their fair share of kids. 

The wagon rides were full of kids waving to those walking on the streets, like royalty from a bygone era. The wagon rides were full of kids waving to those walking on the streets, like royalty from a bygone era. 

"The only thing that's missing is snow," said Gibson. "Because of that, there's a few of those activities missing. But with the magician and a little bit of a trade show, there's a hockey tournament going on too, so definitely still a busy building."

Later in the evening, fireworks and a cabaret stirred up the night air. Rock Candy was the band on hand, playing live music as the adults came out to play for the night. 

"...to keep the community spirit alive," Gibson answered when asked why they kept the event going in town. 

"It's like an advertisement for the community. As long as there's volunteers to put [Winterfest] on, we'll keep going." 

All in all, it was another great day for Winterfest and another fantastic time for families. While the weather was certainly far from wintery, the good cheer and community camaraderie were certainly in season.