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Snow King’s Playhouse is open to the community

An event that has become as natural to Golden winters as the snow that falls on the mountains, is almost here.
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A group of fish got together to participate in last year’s Snow King Parade. Anyone who wishes to be part of this year’s event is welcome to come to the Snow King’s Playhouse.

An event that has become as natural to Golden winters as the snow that falls on the mountains, is almost here.

The Snow King Masque Parade Pageant and Street Party is on Saturday Feb. 15, preceded by the Masque Costume Ball on Friday Feb. 14.

Given that this year’s festivities fall on the Valentine’s Day weekend, the events are taking on the theme Fiesta del Corazon.

“The theme gives the parade a sense of passion and excitement,” said Joyce deBoer, a Snow King volunteer since the first parade eight years ago.

The Ball, taking place at the Civic Centre, will feature the band Lacarno, a highly sought after band that plays a groove-heavy mix of Mexican folk, Cuban son, and Latin soul.

The parade will be the usual one-hour spectacle in Spirit Square, after which the crowd can follow the Snow King and Lady Spring to the area in front of the Post Office where The Good ‘Ol Goats will play a full set for a dancing street party.

“The Good ‘Ol Goats are a semi-local group that are just out of high school. They tied for first place in CBC’s new talent competition,” said deBoer. “They play their own sort of music, which is get up and dance music.”

What makes this Golden event so unique and special is how the community gets involved with it. In the past, individuals and groups have made costumes, and actually participated in the spectacle, a trend that deBoer is hoping will continue to grow this year.

“Put yourself in the parade,” said deBoer.

The Snow King’s Play House (located on 9th Avenue North next to the Youth Centre) is officially opening on Saturday Jan. 18, with anything you might need to create a mask, lantern, or full on costume to participate in the show.

If anyone needs special help, or cannot make it to the regular open hours (Sundays from 1-4 p.m., Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.), contact deBoer at info@kickinghorseculture.ca.

“The reason I got involved is because I love this idea of people getting up off their butts and becoming part of their parade,” said deBoer. “We want the spectators to feel like they’re part of the spectacle.”