The L’Association Francophones et Fracophiles du Nord D’ouest (or AFFNO) will be holding the first annual Sugar Shack Festival d’Hiver starting Thursday, January 27 through until January 30, where “Les familles sont invités pour amuser avec nous” - families are invited to come down and have fun with us.
“[AFFNO] really would like to stress that this is a family fun festival that everyone can enjoy, even if they don’t know a word of French. We would love to see everyone there,” said Patrick Witwicki, the executive director of the AFFNO.
Kicking off the festival on Thursday, there will be a no-host-social being held at Cowpuccino’s from seven p.m. until nine p.m. where people can meet and greet, enjoy entertainment and maybe even win a prize. To take part in this event, people must purchase ticket and there are a limited amount of tickets to the no-host-social, so people are encouraged to pick them at from either Patrick or Danielle at 250-627-1313.
Some more events that take place on Saturday and include a three-point-basketball shootout for kids in grade two to grade 10. Although not typically a Francophone activity, Witwicki said it was added to the festival line up because of the traditional meaning basketball has in Prince Rupert. Entry for this event is free, and can be made at Good Times Games.
Also being held on Saturday is the Sugar Shack Brunch, which will run from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will be an admission fee and it includes food and entertainment, a children’s station that will include arts and crafts, as well as story telling for kids. Tickets for the brunch also get people into the Francophone Film Festival that is taking place on Sunday at the Lester Performing Arts Centre.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for the Francophone Film Festival on Sunday, with the main feature starting at 2:30 p.m. The first film will be for the kids, and the feature film will be family-frienldly with English subtitles
Organizers are still looking for more volunteers to help out with a variety of tasks. Volunteers do not need to speak any French in order to help out. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 250-627-1313.