The planning for Stratford Winterfest 2012 is now underway, and the committee is working hard to make this year’s event as successful as ever! 

Stratford Winterfest began in 1998 as a single-day event, expanding each year to its current format, now covering three days of spectacular winter programming in January.  This year’s theme is "BLAST FROM THE PAST”, which will mark the return of activities and events from the last fourteen years of successful programming.  We are proud to announce a new funding partner, Royal Palisade Retirement Community.  This community-minded organization is the Festival's Main Event Sponsor. The Royal Palisade Extreme Trampoline Show is scheduled to include an Olympic-style trampoline, and three professional athletes on skis and snowboards.  Check out this great community partner at www.royalpalisade.com. 

To view a copy of the 2012 Winterfest brochure of Activities and Events, please click here.  To view a the Activity Map, please click here.

City Centre Snowmen Stroll Tour de Force
The City Centre has strategically scattered 12 decorated wooden snowman throughout the downtown core during the Winterfest weekend, January 21-22, 2012.

For your chance to win 1 of 3 twenty dollar City Centre Gift Certificates here's what to do:

1. Pick up your Snowmen Stroll Map at the Winterfest Info Booth in Lower Queens Park the weekend of January 21-22. The Info Booth opens at 10:00am on Saturday, January 21.
2. Head downtown and visit each of the snowmen of the participating locations.
3. Vote for your favourite snowman using the ballot on the Map and bring to the Winterfest Info Booth in Lower Queens Park by 2pm on Sunday, January 22 for your chance of winning a $20 City Centre Gift Certificate.

Also, don't forget that the City Centre will host an ice carving at 12:00PM on Saturday, January 21st at Memorial Gardens (right across from the corner where Downie Street meets Ontario; to the west of Pazzo).  Get there early to watch Ice Cultures carve and create an ice masterpiece!  http://www.stratfordcitycentre.ca/

Interested in becoming a volunteer? 
We have a variety of shifts available for Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22.  Most shifts take place outdoors in Lower Queens Park, and can be anywhere from 2 hours to full days in length.  Just let us know what day suits you the best, what time of day (morning or afternoon), and how many hours you would like to volunteer?  Please click here to select a shift electronically.

Colouring Contest
With colouring contest packages being previously distributed to local schools through the January LAC Calendar, contest participants can bring posters down to the Information Tent in the park or the Kiwanis Community Centre before 3pm on Sunday, to be entered into a draw. Entries from children JK - Grade 4 are eligible. To grab additional copies of the colouring contest, please click here.

Active Giving
Stratford Winterfest could not go on without the generous financial support of businesses and the community.  We urge you to consider becoming a sponsor and partner with Winterfest. You can directly sponsor one of our main events and attractions, or simply donate a specific amount toward the total program.   We have also included an opportunity to submit a donation online by visiting here. Our Active Giving website is secure, fast and easy to use.  While on the website, you will be able to choose an amount to donate and receive email confirmation of your donation.  You will also be given the recognition you deserve, as we post our top online donors and fundraisers, by name, on the website.

However you may choose to give, our goal is simple; toprovide families in Stratford and surrounding area with another high quality, fun, interactive winter weekend at no cost.

Click here to view our 2012 Winterfest Sponsorship Package