With epic snow conditions on Mount Washington, a unique and diversified line up of bands and comedy acts, and the return of the popular outdoor skating rink, the 3rd annual winterJAM Festival will be blowing away the winter blahs this Jan. 15-31.
Together with the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Courtenay accommodation properties, music and comedy producers, and Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism, winterJAM is a collaboration to drive increased visitation to the region during the winter season, as well as to provide a great family-friendly atmosphere in downtown Courtenay during the chilly days of January.
The outdoor skating rink will be set-up in the parking lot on the corner of Fifth Street and England Avenue, beside the permanent evergreen Christmas tree, under a marquee tent. This winterJAM Centre, as it’s known, will have themed skating nights including an ‘80s Tight and Bright’ (21st), and ‘Be a Super Hero’ (28th), in addition to a Captain Thunderpants performance, face painting, crafts, Boys and Girls Club activities, and more.
The Downtown Courtenay BIA, one of the event partners, is ecstatic to see the rink coming to downtown Courtenay.
“The location for the rink puts it right in the heart of downtown, and the CVEDS team and DCBIA members have developed a great line up of things to do for families of all ages,” said Deana Simkin, President, Downtown Courtenay BIA. “That, coupled with our amazing restaurants, cafes, shops, and attractions in downtown, this promises to be one of the liveliest and fun Januarys to remember.”
For those looking for some music and laughs, there are several great performances being held including Jesse Roper and Towers and Trees (23rd) at the Sid Williams Theatre, Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans (27th) presented by Cumberland Village Works, and comedyJAM presented at Chances by Kitty’s Comedy Night featuring comedians Kathleen McGee, Howie Miller and Jane Stanton (29th and 30th). Tickets for all the events are selling quickly.
The final feature of the Festival is 50 per cent off lift passes at Mount Washington Alpine Resort when packaged with a night’s stay at participating Courtenay accommodation properties including Holiday Inn Express, Old House Hotel and Spa, and the Best Western the Westerly Hotel. While the first two years of winterJAM saw challenging snow conditions, this year’s epic and stunning snow conditions bode well to see this be one of the best festivals in its history.
The winterJAM Centre is open Monday to Friday 2:30 pm to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon to 8 pm, tickets are $5, include some skate rentals and are available online. To buy tickets and check on the rink and performance schedules visit winterjam.ca
