Red Deerians can go on horse-drawn carriage rides after enjoying a free pancake breakfast this upcoming weekend in West Park.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, the West Park Community Association will host its annual WinterFest celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Park Activity Centre, which is located at 3811 57 Ave.
The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast at 10 a.m. and will last until supplies run out. There will then be outdoor activities from 1-4 p.m., including horse-drawn carriage rides presented by Heritage Ranch, s'mores and marshmallow roasting, games and face-painting.
"It's all about getting neighbours together," said Stephen Merredew, president of the West Park Community Association's board of directors.
"It's an accessible event — we don't charge for attendance, there's no cost to join in. It's for everybody. The majority of people who come out are from West Park or West Lake. We try to bring in all kinds of family-oriented activities. ... There are all kinds of connections people can make that they wouldn't get the chance to otherwise by getting out, meeting their neighbours and socializing a bit."
The carriage rides will take off from 39 Street by the activity centre.
In previous years, the crowd at WinterFest has been "in the hundreds," Merredew said.
"Throughout the day, there are people who come and go, there are people who come for part of the event, and there are some who show up right at the beginning and stay right until the end with their family," he said.
A bottle drive will also be held throughout the day in support of the West Park Community Association's park redevelopment project. For more information on this project, visit www.westparkrd.com.
The West Park Community Association is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that hosts a number of events throughout the year.
"In the spring we do Green Deer, with a community barbecue, outdoors games and a bouncey castle. The core of that event is to get out and pick up (garbage) after all the snow melt," said Merredew.
"We have a fall harvest market that we run in September where we bring together local makers and vendors. ... A couple years ago we ran a classic car show for the West Park Community Association's 50th anniversary. It's all in support of our park redevelopment project."