Ice-carving challenges, apple roasting, and sleigh rides are just some of the festivities taking place during Saskatoon’s Nutrien Wintershines festival.

Spokesman for the festival, Shad Ali, says this year’s theme is sure to keep you warm this winter.

“Everything is being designed with this idea of ‘The Big Hug’. People can come down and get close to the sculptures, sit in big chairs, stand with angel wings (made) with ice in the background and get their photos taken,” he explains.

Ali says other festivities include face painting, a soup cook-off, and fire building. But it isn’t just any fire. Ali says the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society will be teaching ancient fire making ways.

“People get to try this, and then when they create their fire ember, they get to add it to the fire pit. Then, they get to roast apples and enjoy them right there.”

All activities are free to the public, except for the soup cook-off, which is taking place on Sunday and Wednesday.

“It’s one of the few things we sell a ticket for. We partner with TCU Place to do that event. And Cobbs Bread…provides us with all the bread for that night, as well, and it’s absolutely amazing.” Tickets for that can be purchased on the Nutrien Wintershine website.

The festival begins this Saturday and runs until the 24th at Gather Local Market on Avenue B South.