Chinook Blast cancels outdoor evening concert as thousands of frosty fans flock to Skijordue at The Confluence

Cold and bitter wind chills have Calgary in its grip but it’s not enough to keep everyone inside. Tyler Barrow reports.

Chinook Blast called off the arts and culture part of its programming Sunday night due to an extreme cold warning.

With the wind chill forecast to be around – 30, the city’s winter festival announced Sunday morning that the evening’s outdoor programming has been cancelled “for everyone’s safety,” they said in a social media post on Instagram.

However, the ImaginAsian Night Market will be open throughout the day, until 4 p.mn. at the Pioneer, while the Central Library is hosting a free screening of Oscar-nominated Wicked, as well as a variety of games and winter crafts for all ages between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

And while events on Stephen Avenue are being curtailed due to the cold, Skijordue is continuing in full force at The Confluence.

One Skijordue enthusiast said on a radio show early Sunday that 4,000 people attended Saturday’s event and judging by the photos posted on the Skijor Canada Instagram page, there was a lot of fur flying.

Stuart Brideaux, EMS Calgary public education officer, said fans attending skijordue need to be prepared to deal with the conditions.

“If you know that you’re going to be spending longer periods of time out in the cold, definitely (wear) extra warm, insulating layers, wind and waterproof layers on the outside,” Brideaux said.

“(And) do find opportunities, if you can, to get out of the cold, whether you need to go to a warm car inside a warm building where at least areas that are protected from wind chill. That’s one of the most aggravating factors in this.”

Skijordue, which blends equestrian, snowboarding, skiing, cheese fondue and ski chalet fashion into a single event, is on again Sunday between noon and 5 p.m. at The Confluence.

For tickets, go here.

Family Day

Monday, there will be a Chinook Blast finale at The Core, featuring a full lineup of music, performances and more.

There will also be free admission to the National Music Centre Monday, where the Backyard Betties will be performing.

There’s also a Beatles-themed family jam-along, a silent disco, and five floors of exhibits that celebrate Canadian music legends as well as instruments and artifacts that span 400 years of musical innovation.

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow