The annual Snow King’s MasqueParade is looking to adapt to a COVID world. (Keri Sculland/Star photo)

MasqueParade looks for COVID-friendly celebration

Looking for ways to safely welcome the Snow King and Lady Spring back to the valley.

  • Jan. 29, 2021 12:00 a.m.

With February quickly approaching, many are wondering if the Snow King and Lady Spring would return to the valley this year for the annual MasqueParade event given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A meeting was held on Jan. 20 between the wild and silly MasqueParade creatures to think of all kinds of ways that invite the Snow King and Lady Spring back to Golden, while keeping everyone safe and socially distant.

Typically, the MasqueParade attracts hundreds of people to spirit square for a celebration in the dark and cold of winter.

This year, that won’t be possible.

However, Wolf, one of the most creatures in the yearly celebration, who is relied on to come into the circle and howl to call out to the Snow King and Lady Spring, has proposed a solution.

Based on what Wolf did for Christmas, sending Santa Claus a letter to ensure that he would still be visiting Golden, Wolf has suggested that all the kids in town send Snow King and Lady Spring a message so that they know how badly we want to see them this year.

“We got to send a message to Snow King and Lady Spring,” said Wolf.

“They’re not going to know how much we want to see them unless we tell them.”

It was Pack Rat, an important creature in the yearly parade, who further suggested that the residents of the valley record themselves on their phones sending a message to Snow King and Lady Spring to bring them to the valley.

“Tell them to gather in their family bubble all dressed up in their finest and funnest plumage…and make sure they’re wearing a mask,” said Owl, one of the MasqueParade creatures known for her wisdom, during the meeting.

“Tell them to speak to the camera thingy and say, ‘Snow King! Lady Spring! Please come back to the valley. We miss you!'”

Wolf has also encouraged those submitting videos to have a howl or two, as per the MasqueParade tradition.

A link and instructions on how to send your ‘home movie’ to Snow King & Lady Spring are available on Kicking Horse Culture’s website.

KHC is encouraging those who want to participate to get dressed up with their household or core bubble in their silliest, wildest and craziest creature costumes and funkiest mask.

Take a short video in costume, holding the phone horizontally of you and your household or core bubble saying: “SNOW KING! LADY SPRING! PLEASE COME BACK TO THE VALLEY! WE LOVE YOU!” with a howl to boot.

The video can be uploaded via the link on their website, or posted to social media with the hashtag #MaskedParade2021.

Golden Star