Brandishing his snow saw, Snowking Anthony Foliot marched to the front of his castle and barked out the order to cut open the door.
Saws angrily attacked the rock-hard snow wall, a crowd of 100 people cheered as every chunk fell, and the first children streamed through the castle’s door.
Saturday marked the grand opening of the 24th edition of the now internationally known Snowking Winter Festival.
Organizers of this year’s event hope to continue the success enjoyed at previous festivals, all of which saw increases in visitors.
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Changes this year include a slightly redesigned castle footprint, with more room given to the children’s play area, and a slightly more intimate grand hall – where live performances run daily for kids and into the night for adults.
The event runs daily, except Mondays, on Yellowknife Bay through March 31.
Snowking helps remove large chunks of snow as they fall from the new doorway area. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
Wide-eyed children were first to see inside the 2019 edition of the snowcastle. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
Snowking Anthony Foliot adds his usual drama to the door-cutting spectacle. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
Fans cheer as the castle’s front door is cut open. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
Inside the castle, the incoming crowd was greeted by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation’s drummers. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
This year, the festival’s children’s area is larger. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
Visitors enjoy one of this year’s castle seating areas. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio
