It’s your opportunity to sample the French Canadian culture this weekend.

On February 25th, Red Deer’s 8th annual Winter Carnival, hosted by ACFA Régionale de Red Deer is set to take place at Festival Hall.

A Franco-Alberta Flag will be raised as well as the Metis Nation flag.  Members of Red Deer’s Aboriginal community involved with the Native Friendship Society will play drums and sing with their own flag being raised.

Following the ceremony at 1 p.m, you can enjoy a low cost lunch including maple syrup pudding, French pea soup. You can also make your own dessert… maple taffy with snow. There will also be games and live music featuring five bands.

The Kerry Wood Nature Centre will be represented with a exhibit of animal furs where you can learn about the fur trade industry and the animals involved.

Bruno Collet, Regional director of ACFA Régionale de Red Deer says, “There’s a lot people interested. Last year we saw 1200 people check the carnival out. Of course there’s an entertainment part of it, but also an educational aspect.” Collet also adds, “We are worried about doing games as the back parking lot of Festival Hall is a mess however, we will try to get something weather permitting.”

The ACFA Régionale de Red Deer holds two parts to the carnival. The other event is a dinner which is held  the night before called  the Sugar Shack Dinner, which is now sold out. Five dollars from each ticket purchased will be donated to the Women’s Shelter.

The Association Canadienne-Française de l’Alberta or French Canadian Association in Alberta is an organization that shares French Canadian culture and gathers its members for social activities. Eighty percent of their members are bilingual.

There is no cost to attend.

(Photos courtesy of the ACFA Régionale de Red Deer)