Skate under the stars on a frozen lake surrounded by luminaries and help out the Jasper Food Bank, Jan. 29, during the second annual Moonlight Charity Skate at Mildred Lake. The event was originally scheduled for Jan. 22, but because of the frigid cold weather, it was rescheduled to what will hopefully be a warmer day.

The event, organized by Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, began last year, raising $800 through the sale of luminaries – brown paper bags filled with sand and lit by tea lights.

Once people have purchased a luminary, they can write their name on it or draw a picture, before skating out onto the lake, placing it wherever they like.

“It was gorgeous last year,” said Stefanie Hamilton, marketing manager for JPL. “It’s so much fun to skate outside at night under the stars. Last year the sky was completely clear. The entire sky was lit up by stars, and then you’ve got these candles all around. It was really romantic.”

The event started last year when Penny McKenna, from Nava Hair, suggested JPL organize an event that would get people on the ice at night.

Because of the lack of lighting, no one tends to skate in the evening, so that’s where the luminaries came in.

All proceeds from the luminaries, which are being sold for $5, will go to the food bank.

“We wanted to use a charity that would reach a lot of people in the community and we wanted to keep it in Jasper,” said Hamilton.

The Mildred Hut will be open during the skate, selling warm drinks. 

“We’ll also have a big bonfire out there, so you can get a hot chocolate, sit by the fire and warm up,” said Hamilton.

The event will take place between 6 and 9 p.m.

Hamilton said she hopes to see locals and out-of-town guests there to take in the night sky, the luminaries and, of course, the skating.