LAC LA BICHE - For the past 41 years, the Winter Festival of Speed has served as a popular annual event, drawing people from near and far.
Over the weekend, under a combination of sunny and cloudy skies and cool, windy temperatures, large crowds gathered at the site of the 2024 Winter Festival of Speed on the frozen surface of Lac La Biche lake.
There was plenty to see and do for those who attended, not only on the ice track and runway, but also in the area closer to shore known as the ‘town square’. Town square was the site of concession booths, the trade fair, makers market, a trappers display, axe throwing, as well as an outdoor workshop where carvers were at work creating ice and snow sculptures.
The ice races, which were sponsored by the Northern Alberta Sports Car Club (NASCC), played out on a road course-style track that had been constructed on Lac La Biche lake. The cars ran in four classes-rubber to ice, studded tires, Chevette, and new for this year, street safe.
In addition to the ice races, which took place all weekend, the festival also featured an aircraft fly-in hosted by the Lac La Biche Flying Club. There were many eyes watching the sky as various types of planes (including an RCMP aircraft) flew into the festival grounds, arriving on the 4,000-ft ice runway built by festival volunteers during the previous week. Crews were on standby to assist the pilots as they few into the makeshift airfield on the ice. A large crowd assembled at the airfield walked around checking out the rows of landed planes, roasted wieners and enjoyed chili and hot chocolate.
The festival also included an introduction to snowmobile training, charity races, solo slalom races, an on-ice market and small business trade show, a vintage sled display and show 'n' shine, as well as a kids' carnival.
Funds from the admission to the event and other on-ice fundraisers will go back to community groups and volunteer organizations. Over the last 40 years, the event has generated more than $250,000 for local organizations.
The Lac La Biche POST will have an update on the weekend, including race results, admission numbers and a tally on funds collected when organizers have the details
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