.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - The Town of Fort Smith is taking the lead in reviving Wood Buffalo Frolics - a winter carnival that was cancelled last year due to a volunteer shortage.

"It will be going ahead," said Ruth Rolfe, the town's recreation manager.

It is hoped that a Mad Trapper's Ball - in which Lucy Bourke competed in 2007 - will return in March with Fort Smith's Wood Buffalo Frolics, which was cancelled last year. - NNSL file photo

The event has been scheduled for March 13-15. However, Rolfe said it is difficult to say whether the carnival will have all the events that people have come to expect.

"That's going to depend on the volunteer capacity," she said.

Rolfe has taken on the role of co-ordinator in an effort to revitalize Wood Buffalo Frolics. She is contacting individuals and organizations to encourage them to become involved.

"I'm hoping they are going to step up to the plate," she said. Rolfe said a number of events will take place - children's games at the Rec Centre, a hockey tournament, a pancake breakfast, and a chili cook-off at the Northern Life Museum.

Possible activities include handgames, a bingo and a Mad Trapper's Ball.

Rolfe is also in discussions with groups about running a talent show, along with a prince and princess pageant.

She is also in preliminary talks with another group about holding Northern games.

"I have high expectations, but it depends on the community," she said.

An organizational meeting was held on Jan. 29 and only one community member showed up.

However, that low turnout didn't surprise her, Rolfe said. "Traditionally, you have to call people and talk to them."

Overall, she said the response to her calls has been really good.

Rolfe said Wood Buffalo Frolics is an important event, adding it encourages tourism and business and also sets a positive tone for the whole community.

"We all come together during something like this," she said.

Rolfe said the Town of Fort Smith doesn't normally co-ordinate the carnival.

"This isn't going to become the town's role," she said, adding it is hoped that next year it will return to being organized by a volunteer committee.

Mayor Peter Martselos agreed Wood Buffalo Frolics is an important event for the community.

The mayor is confident it will take place this year, but maybe not to the full extent as in previous years.

"We need support and volunteers from the community to make this a success," he said.

Martselos said other communities also sometimes have difficulty getting volunteers for such events.

"I'm not really surprised, but at the same time this event is excellent for Fort Smith," he said, adding it benefits tourism and business.

Laurie Young, manager of the Northern Life Museum, supports Wood Buffalo Frolics.

"We need the Frolics because every community needs a carnival to break up the winter," Young said.

Wood Buffalo Frolics was begun in the early 1970s by the now-defunct Fort Smith Lions Club. After last year's carnival was cancelled, the Town of Fort Smith organized an event called Family Fun Days in April.