2022 Winter Festival Honourary Chairperson Franklin was joined at the microphone by his close friend and rival Gerald McKenzie. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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Tux and Toques makes triumphant return

Jan 17, 2022 | 11:00 AM

The countdown to the 2022 Prince Albert Winter Festival has officially begun following Saturday night’s Tux and Toques gala at the Wildlife Federation Building.

One of the highlights of the night was the formal recognition of Franklin Carriere as this year’s honorary festival chairperson. Known both on the sled dog circuit and for the king trapper event, Carriere told paNOW he was feeling very honoured by the title.

“I’ve had a lot of honours over the years and this one tops everything,” he said.

Called the king of king trappers, Carriere has won the Prince Albert event on 10 separate occasions, and many of the records he set still remain today.

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As part of Saturday night’s special tribute, a nearly 17 minute video was played, outlining Carriere’s many accomplishments and featured testimonies from some of his closest friends. One humourous story included a vivid description of a prank Carriere pulled on a friend – stuffing a dead muskrat under their car seat.

Reflecting on the video, Carriere said it was great to take a trip down memory lane, and added he was also very proud to be joined at the microphone by his close friend, and perhaps biggest rival Gerald McKenzie.

“He’s a three time world champion and when you can get close to him in points, you know you are still doing pretty good,” he said.

Carriere, now 76, stopped competing when he was 70. He admitted though he still gets excited this time of year.

“It brings me a lot of memories. I want to come compete but the body is not there. I was really good when I was competing,” he said.

This year’s winter festival runs from Feb. 10 to Feb. 27. Acknowledging that due to COVID, they could not hold the gala last year, Festival Board President Bev Erickson said it was nice to be able to see people, in person, enjoying themselves again, while still following all the provincial protocols.

“It was absolutely wonderful to have people in one building at one time,” she said.

Looking ahead to this years festival, and noting the uncertainties created by the surging Omicron cases, Erickson said the board remains cautious with planning, adding they will have a number of safety related protocols in place including keeping groups together.

Unfortunately the cabaret events have again been cancelled, however the fireworks show will be a go in a “drive in style'” and the fish fry will also return with a drive thru option. Erickson noted this turned out to be a big success last year.

“And it was so positive having the people that were cooking actually indoors and not freezing,” she said. “We didn’t run into a bunch of snags that we have in the past.”

Roy Jr. teaches some willing volunteers the basics of hoop dancing. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Sheryl Kimbley was asked to pay tribute to the 2021 Honourary Chairpersons Lawrence Joseph and Don Mitchell. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

For the first time ever, this years festival will include a classic country show. Voices of the North will have two shows on Feb. 19; the jigging event will be held virtually; and Erickson said shows at the Rawlinson Centre on will likely be live streamed.

“Some [events] will be in person and some will be online. We are doing the best we can,” Erickson said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell