Linwood Lions draw big crowd for successful Snofest celebration
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By Gary West
The population of Linwood swelled on Saturday as hundreds of residents and visitors gathered at the Linwood Recreation Complex for the Lions Club’s annual Snofest.
The popular winter festival, which dates back to the late 1970s, once again brought together families from across the region to enjoy a full day of outdoor and indoor activities on a bright February winter day.
Linwood Lions Club president Jenn Gregory, in her first year in the role, said she was thrilled with both the turnout and the community spirit on display. Parents, children and grandparents filled the complex throughout the day, taking part in activities designed for all ages.
The festivities began with a hearty breakfast served by local firefighters, helping set the tone for a busy day. The Linwood Lions also extended thanks to event sponsors, including Waterloo County Dairy Producers, Perth-Waterloo Egg Farmers, Mornington Communications and Schnurr’s Grocery in Linwood, whose support helped make the event possible.
Snofest featured a wide variety of activities, turning the recreation complex into a hive of winter fun. Mixed teams competed in snopitch on the snow-covered ball diamond, while others took part in horse races, bingo and solo card games. Younger children enjoyed face painting and crafts hosted inside the library, giving families plenty of options to stay warm while still taking part.
One of the major highlights of the day was a performance by children’s entertainer Erick Traplin of Kitchener. His high-energy show had kids dancing, laughing and singing along in the hall, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Outdoor activities remained popular despite the cold. The community ice rink, known locally as one of the best in Waterloo Region, was busy throughout the day. The rink’s smooth surface was maintained by icemaker Laurence Metzger, who used a Jones Feed Mill John Deere tractor converted into a Zamboni. Skaters of all ages took to the ice, some waiting patiently for face painting before lacing up their skates.
Even with a windchill hovering around -26 degrees Celsius, snopitch players – men and women alike – continued competing in the sunshine. While sliding into bases on snow was easy, staying warm proved to be the real challenge, with participants agreeing that plenty of layers were essential.
Gregory said the strong turnout and enthusiastic participation showed just how much Snofest continues to mean to the community. After more than four decades, the event remains a winter tradition that brings people together, celebrates local volunteerism and reminds residents why Linwood’s small-town spirit continues to thrive.