Richard Froese
South Peace News
Francophone culture was centre stage at the 38th annual Carnaval de St. Isidore on Feb. 14-16.
A variety of activities and colourful entertainers were featured in and around the St. Isidore Cultural Centre organized by the Society of the Culture Community Centre.
“Invasion des Emojis” was the theme for 2020.
“We had over 500 students during the school day and over 1,200 people during the weekend,” says Rachelle Bergeron, a member of the organizing committee.
“Although attendance was down from last year, the event was still a big success.”
Winter activities, entertainment, horse-drawn sleigh rides and outdoor fun were part of the weekend.
“Snow sculptures, competitions, shows, maple snow taffy and new games were the big highlights for the crowds,” Bergeron says.
Enthusiasm was still high despite frigid temperatures around -22C.
“The weather being cold and snowy, people were bundled up, moving about a lot, but still enjoyed all the activities, competitions and entertainment,” Bergeron says.
“We thankfully got enough snow to have as many sculptures as usual.”
The winner of the professional snow-sculpture competition was Charles Henzler followed by Mike Russel in second.
A Peace River team of Trinity Thompson, Kaylyn Rushfeldt and Tyrus McPhee too home third prize.
Royalty was also crowned.
Mia Maisonneuve, of Guy, was honoured as Carnaval Queen (Duchess) and Samuel Velie, of St. Isidore, was King (Duc).
Other fun contests were held.
Danny Monfette won the beard-growing competition, followed by Julien Lavoie in second and Jean Luc Boulianne in third.
Armande Lavoie won the crib tournament.
Denis Boulianne and Fréderic Bergeron were the champions in the bocci tournament.
Corey Lavoie and Edouard Bergeron won the whistling competition.
Denis Belzile and Marc Belzile were a cut above the rest in the pairs’ log-sawing competition.
Organizers say the event is growing more popular.
“The Carnaval has built an amazing reputation over the years with its unique francophone cultural and community-based program,” Bergeron says.
“The successful formula of music, dance, art, theatre, plus great winter activities and competitions appeal to people of all ages.”
She says the Carnaval includes influences from beyond St. Isidore as organizers invite schools and youth from all over the region to take part in the program, as well as local and non-local artists.
Organizers extend a big thanks all the volunteers, visitors and participants from all over the region and Alberta.
Former Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion Daniel Gervais entertained the crowd at the Carnaval. 
A snow sculpture of two emojis Alice and Alain taking a selfie welcomed everyone to the Carnaval de St. Isidore. Laval Bergeron, of St. Isidore, created the sculpture 16-feet high. 
Royalty was crowned at the Carnaval de St. Isidore. Left-right, are Duc Samuel Velie, of St. Isidore, and Duchess Mia Maisonneuve, of Guy. Both are Grade 10 students at Ecole Heritage in Falher. 
Les Rats d’Swompe of northeastern Ontario raised the roof in the gazebo during an afternoon of entertainment Feb. 15. 
A log-sawing competition drew several people to try their skills in the old-fashioned ways. Colin Gagnon, front right, and his sister-in-law Maddy Feindel gave it their all. Standing at the back left-right, are announcer Jean Pierre Lavoie and timer Patrick Labbe. 
Lily Martin, 11, of Peace River, walks out of the entertainment gazebo between two snow sculpture frosted mugs with emoji images. 
Former Falher resident Renelle Ray was centre stage for entertainment Saturday afternoon. 
Face-painting was popular with the children. Left-right, are Tyler Kokotek, 7, Anna Lavoie, 8, both of Peace River, and Matthew Laflamme, 6, of Falher. 
It was all thumbs up for this pair of snow sculptors. Left-right, are Adam Stouffer, 11, of Grande Prairie, and sculptor Norm Michaud, of Cold Lake. 
Three residents of Peace River created an emoji in the snow sculpture competition. Left-right, are Trinity Thompson, Tyrus McPhee and Kaylyn Rushfeldt. 
Arlen Moyer, 11, of Grande Prairie, gets ready to release a tennis ball in the sling shot to hit a target and win a prize. 
Horse-drawn sleigh rides were popular as riders enjoyed a short ride around the cultural centre and hamlet. 
Maple snow taffy was a delicious delight Saturday afternoon. Left-right, are Lyne Bruneau, of St. Isidore, and her sons Xavier Bazan-Lindsay, 6, and Francois Bazan-Lindsay, 3. 
Snow sculptor Laval Bergeron, of St. Isidore, stands by one of his sculptures of the emoji theme that welcomed guests to the Carnaval. 
Children had a fun time learning to create balloon animals at a workshop. Left-right, are Aspen Evans, 7, of Peace River, workshop leader Isabelle Wonderful, Jaxon Florence, 5, of St. Isidore, and Cora Plocica, 11, of Peace River. 
Three young boys get a lesson in driving a car. Left-right, are Aiden Gagnon, 2, and Avery Gagnon, 4, both of Peace River, and Mason Florence, 4, of St. Isidore. 
The Carnaval mascot Grand Duck was popular. Annabelle Lavoie, 3, centre, of St. Isidore, gets a close-up look in the arms of her mother Valerie Levesque.