It’s as if mother nature knew the city was celebrating this week as we sit at comfortable winter temperatures for the kick-off of the second annual Frost Festival.

“It’s about beautiful lights, it’s about celebration, it’s about crisp snow, cold noses, and outdoor hockey games, it’s about maple syrup, coming together with friends and celebrating the fact that we live in the greatest city and province in all of Canada,” says Tim Reed, CEO of the REAL District and Co-chair of the festival.

Hundreds of citizens, RCMP Officers, as well as city and corporate officials gathered at the RCMP Heritage Centre for Frost Festival’s opening ceremony.

The event begins the festival with a free pancake dinner, displays of various RCMP units and equipment, maple syrup on snow, a live DJ, and an all-around Canadian hockey game against residents and RCMP officers.

Tara Robinson, CEO of the RCMP Heritage Centre, says not only is it important for the mounties to be involved like this but they love it, “The RCMP Heritage Centre is seeking national status so it’s really important for us to be a part of the community and to have the mounties involved. They love to be a part of community events. They’re so busy in their normal day-to-day lives that they love volunteering for this sort of thing.”

The Festival will continue throughout the city for the next ten days until Sunday, February 12 in Regina’s four major hubs.

A wide variety of events will be happening in the downtown core, Wascana, the Warehouse District, and the REAL District.

Many events are free to attend but some do require tickets.

For all the information you need on the events and ticket sales, click here. 

Here’s a look at the opening ceremony: