Media Release: Snap a selfie as Festival of Frosties brings winter cheer to Downtown Huntsville
Ellen Selby (left), Interim Manager for the Downtown Huntsville BIA, and Jennifer Jerrett, Community Engagement Specialist for Community Living Huntsville, encourage community members and visitors alike to enjoy some winter cheer with the Festival of Frosties art installation in downtown Huntsville. Photo by Community Living Huntsville.
Huntsville, Ontario – A jolly new art installation filled with community spirit has rolled into downtown Huntsville for some winter cheer.
The Festival of Frosties, an art installation, features up to 12 hand-painted, wooden snowmen or “Frosties” displayed on downtown Huntsville’s Main Street starting in December 2023. Community members of all ages, with and without disabilities, were invited by the project partners, Community Living Huntsville, Downtown Huntsville BIA, and Muskoka Lumber, to decorate the wooden cutouts. The Frosties are on display for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
Sharon Hobbs, a community member and Administrative Assistant for Community Living Huntsville, says she and her son, Dawson, 8, jumped at the opportunity to design and paint a rosy-cheeked and flowery-hatted Frosty for the installation.
“The last few years, we have loved seeing the Festival of Trees art installations downtown, so when we had the chance to decorate a snowman for the new Festival of Frosties, I knew my son, who is so crafty and loves to paint, and I would love to join in,” says Hobbs. “I hope it makes people happy to see the Frosties. We had so much fun decorating ours, and we have loved seeing the others. They are joyful, and I hope people feel the joy from them.”
Ellen Selby, Interim Manager for the Downtown Huntsville BIA, says the art installation adds to the sense of community downtown and she applauded Community Living Huntsville for leading the initiative.
“Main Street should not just be a wonderful place to shop – it should reflect the members of our vibrant community and that’s exactly what the Festival of Frosties art installation brings!” says Selby.
Jennifer Jerrett, Community Engagement Specialist for Community Living Huntsville, thanked Muskoka Lumber for not only donating all the wood for the installation, but also cutting and assembling each Frosty. She thanked the many community members who brought the Frosties to life with their creativity and unique designs. She also thanked the Downtown Huntsville BIA for installing the finished art.
“I hope the art installation will encourage people to pause as they enjoy the different Frosties, connect in the moment with others around them, and consider that our community is better when we can each use our unique skills and passions to create that community, together,” says Jerrett. “I hope the art installation creates conversation, helps people to slow down, and encourages everyone to be positive and kind.”
Jerrett invited everyone to head downtown, snap a selfie with a Frosty, and email their photo to SocialMedia@clhuntsville.ca. “We look forward to sharing your photos with the community,” says Jerrett.
Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside people with developmental disabilities and families to live, work, and play in unique and purposeful ways in North Muskoka. Find more at clhuntsville.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.