It’s time to shake off the February blahs and take part in some wizardry during the 25th Winter Magic Festival, beginning this weekend in Hinton. 

In the span of 10 days there will be 30 events to get you out of the winter blues and into the sunshine.

The festivities begin on Feb. 17 with Monkey Bonez Gymnastics and a family spaghetti lunch and will end with a lantern walk along the Maxwell Lake boardwalk on Feb. 27.

“It’s a great way to motivate yourself to get off the couch because you need to get socializing and catch some sunshine,” said Stacey Gross, Hinton’s recreation co-ordinator.

Most of the events during the 10-day festival are family-oriented, free and a great way to get outside to enjoy the winter weather.

“It’s a good opportunity to showcase outdoor recreation to kids in the winter,” Gross said, noting that there’s a fishing derby, an archery event, a trapping demonstration, snowshoeing, skiing and many other great outdoor activities to take part in.

“There’s a bit of everything.”

The one event that Stacey said she’s especially excited for is the Vancouver Mountain Film Festival on Feb. 26, since she misses the Banff Film Festival in Jasper every year.

“We have that mountain culture here too and that active lifestyle, so it’s just something different that’s not the same as what everyone goes to Jasper for,” she said. “I think it’s something that will draw a good crowd.” 

Also taking place are natural luge workshops where people are invited to sign up and learn the basics of the sport. The event is dubbed as fun for the whole family, even those who are too scared to try, as it’s a good spectator sport to take in while standing next to the fire with a cup of hot chocolate.

“There really is something for everybody,” said Gross, “whether it’s a night out for mom and dad or joining the elders at the friendship centre or tons of family activities.”

To learn more about the festival and the events taking place, visit www.hintoncommunitycalendar.ca.