Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Town of Caledon is preparing for the winter season by rebranding the annual Winterfest event into a series of activities and programs to get residents outdoors.

Reimagining Winterfest consists of five components that revolve around enjoying the winter season while in a pandemic.

These components include a Winterfest At-Home Kit, Winterfest calendar of community activities, Winterfest Caledon Lights competition, Winterfest Community Rink program and, lastly, Winterfest community enhancements. 

“To keep residents active this winter and throughout the colder months, staff have developed a winter strategy, which is not an uncommon type of strategy in larger municipalities where winter months predominately take up the calendar year, and in the wake of a pandemic, we know that the virus spreads slower outdoors. So, to try to entice people to get outside, we have capitalized on the Winterfest branding,” said Heather Hare, Director of Community Services. 

The annual event will look a little different this year. What is usually an event of skating, arts and crafts, and other winter activities, will be separated to follow proper safety guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Town is working alongside a series of parks, and rinks in order to organize activities and programs for the community. 

“We would also look at partnering with businesses and non-profit organizations locally,” said Hare. “There's already a lot of programs in place; we think we could enhance them, develop them and move them outside through this winter strategy program.”

The Town will be hosting a Caledon Lights Competition, to get the community in the festive spirit. Residents are required to create a display at their home or business, share photos online and Caledon Councillors will choose the best displays where prizes will be delivered. 

Under the Grey level lockdown restrictions, 10 people are allowed outdoors within the same area while social distancing with each other. 

Council is hopeful that with community participation, the holiday season will look a little brighter under these difficult and unprecedented times. 

“It's exactly what the community needs,” remarked Ward 5 Area Councillor Tony Rosa. 

For further information, please visit Caledon.ca/winterfest.