Winnipeggers usher in the new year with in-person celebrations at The Forks

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This article was published 30/12/2022 (628 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A day of free entertainment attracted hundreds of people to The Forks Saturday afternoon, as Winnipeg’s landmark meeting place marked its return to in-person New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“It just feels normal to be coming back,” said Sarah Ducharme, who came with her husband Greg and seven-year-old daughter Madeline to skate, sled, and eat supper before ringing in the new year.

“It’s such a kid-friendly and a family-friendly event, that not having that option over the last few years made it harder to find stuff to do,” she said.

Ducharme, 43, said her family spends nearly every holiday at The Forks.

This year was extra special.

“The pandemic taught us to slow down and pace ourselves with life,” she said. “”(Our goal for the new year) is to try to continue to be mindful of that.”

In 2018 and 2019, approximately 30,000 people attended The Forks on New Year’s Eve, but those numbers dwindled amid lockdowns and restrictions, said communications and marketing manager Zach Peters.

Pre-pandemic, the area saw around four million visitors annually. Current estimates place this year’s headcount at around 3.2 million, so things are trending in the right direction, Peters said.

The Forks adapted to virtual programming for the past two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s difficult to put the excitement into words,” Peters said of the return to in-person events.

“Being able to celebrate big events like New Year’s Eve is important, and here at The Forks, we pride ourselves on being a place for people to meet… We anticipate a big crowd, but more than numbers… it will be a success if we see people leaving with smiles on their faces and talking about how good of a time they had.”

By early afternoon, preparations for the evening’s festivities were underway, with crews working to clear a skating surface along the frozen Red River.

Other groups set up lights, sound equipment and monitors throughout The Forks Market building, including inside Room 201, where an all-ages dance party was set to begin at 4 p.m.

A line-up of live music was slated throughout the night, with performances from Tommy Douglas Keenan, The Secret Beach, Dr. Henry Band and an assortment of DJs.

Instead of its traditional fire-works display, The Forks opted for a “close proximity pyrotechnic” performance.

“As opposed to fireworks that are high in the sky with loud bangs, this is lower to the ground and quieter. The aesthetic and visual is equally as stunning… it still goes about 300 feet into the air, but for the most part the best visual will be on-site,” Peters said.

The event, scheduled for 8 p.m. at the CN Stage, was set to include performances from fire dancers and hula-hoopers. The early start time meant families could celebrate the end of the year together, without having to stay awake into the night.

An official ball-drop was planned for midnight at The Common, where staff expected to continue pouring pints and flights until around 1 a.m., Peters said.

To ensure safety, The Forks expanded its security staff and invited partners from local community organizations to be present during the event.

Businesses also celebrated the return.

“This is the biggest event we’ve had in this building since pre-pandemic… anything that brings folks in is positive for the businesses,” said Gord Arthur, manager at McNally Robinson.

The bookstore opened its doors at The Forks location in 2018 and annual events like New Year’s Eve and Canada Day have brought a boon to business. In 2019, Juno Award-winning folk singer William Prince performed inside the market’s food hall — that was one to remember, he said.

“This building was packed. People were standing all along (the food hall) up top and the lower level.”

Arthur expected a smaller turnout this year, but said the business was expanding its hours Saturday in anticipation of increased traffic.

“We’re just happy to see people enjoying The Forks — just coming out more.”

Staff at nearby Coal and Canary said the same.

“It’s so nice to have everyone walking around and browsing,” said Alia Henderson, who was manning the till at the locally owned candle retailer on the final day of the year.

“There’s always something positive to say. It just brings in lots of a families and it’s great to see,” she said, adding the business had been operating with extended hours since before Christmas.

The Forks will continue to offer winter entertainment in the coming months. The Winnipeg Foundation’s Nestaweya River Trail is set to open soon, although Peters could not provide an exact date.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca