“Because the flip side of this is that it can get too cold,” he said.

What to do

Sled dogs, snow carvers, an obstacle course, snowman station, scavenger hunt and ice fishing game are staples at the annual festival. Jack the Nimblebus — an indoor playground on a bus — will be stationed near the visitor and information centre. There will also be a Nerf biathlon and Rogers Winterfest air hockey game.

Bean said the ice slide has been relocated near the Perimeter Institute this year and will be redesigned with a couple bends and curves.

“One of the new things that we’re doing is a winter disco with a disco ball,” Bean said.

Other events being led by local engineering students will run on Saturday only, he noted.

Uptown ‘Comfort Food Crawl’

On Saturday you can also join local venues and celebrity judges for the Uptown Business Improvement Area's inaugural Comfort Food Crawl, comprised of the ninth-annual chili cook-off, second-annual Mac ‘n’ Cheese Challenge and first-ever Soup Showdown.

The friendly competitions run from noon until 4 p.m. A ticket costs $10, with proceeds going to the KW Humane Society.

The food competitions attracted more than 500 people last year and will be held at three local restaurants in 2020.

The Chili Cook-Off can be found at Kentucky Bourbon & BBQ, the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Challenge at Abe Erb Brewing Company and the Soup Showdown at Prohibition Warehouse, with awards announced around 3:30 p.m. at Abe Erb.

Winter warmth

Those looking for a break from the cold can find it at the Visitor and Heritage Information Centre near the train station, sponsored by Tim Hortons. Inside there will be hot chocolate and a series of short films featuring outdoor and winter themes.

The Waterloo Public Library is hosting a variety of activities as well, with winter-themed crafts in the children’s department all day long, hot chocolate and cookies, storytimes and a snowman building challenge.

People are also encouraged to take in a free screening of the movie Abominable at the Princess Cinemas, with showtime at 4:30 p.m.