The Snow King and Lady Spring MasqueParade inspires creative collaboration and community building at the Golden Civic Centre on January 27 and 28.
About 30 people gathered at the Golden Civic Centre during the opening weekend of the “Snow King’s Playhouse.” People gathered to create costumes, props, and art displays for the Snow King Festival, which will take place in the Spirit Square in Golden, B.C. on February 10.
Every year since 2006, The Snow King and Lady Spring Masque Parade has provided an opportunity for community members to come together in celebration of the coming of Spring. Volunteers start getting together in November to determine a theme and ideas for various acts for the event. This year’s theme titled, “horsing around” inspired community members of all ages to gather at the Civic Centre and create hobby horses, lanterns, masks, and tutus. Luna Lamar, is new to Golden, B.C., this year will be her first time going to the event, she says she is “excited to see all of it.”
“I’m excited to see all of the art put together and all the colourful and vibrant creations,” she says.
Kathryn Cooke, Facilitator of the Snow King and Lady Spring Masque Parade Playhouse says the weekendcreation workshops are all about “having fun.”
“It’s an opportunity for community members to come to a beautiful space and create. It’s such a privilege and it doesn’t cost anything,” Cooke says.
All supplies used in the playhouse are provided by Kicking Horse Culture. Volunteers are available during workshop hours to help participants with various needs. Cooke says she is seeing a lot of “focus time” happening among participants.
“It isn’t just the playfulness of creating; it’s also focus time for parents with children and friends connecting after maybe not seeing each other for a long time,” she says.
The playhouse will be open again on January 4 and 5 at the Golden Civic Centre from 11am until 4pm. Cooke encourages everyone interested in participating to “bring a friend.”
“It takes a bit of effort to come out sometimes. I have yet to see people not having fun. It’s a wonderful place,” she says.
