Mid-winter festival perfect for what the doctor ordered

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The thought of enjoying the great outdoors — especially as the weather warms a bit — is enough to instil a sense of calm to even the most anxious.

It is with that in mind that the organizers of Chinook Blast 2021 are hoping the newfangled winter festival is just what the doctor ordered for a fragile psyche due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From a mental health perspective, I think the way this is important is that it’s a reminder that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves,” suggested Michael Huston, a psychologist and counsellor at Mount Royal University’s Wellness Services. “If it’s done well, it ought to create a sense of connection to the community.”

Starting last Saturday and for the next couple of weekends, Calgarians are invited to come downtown and enjoy partner pop-ups, tours and displays, all the while practising social distancing and masking up.

The plan is to incorporate more activities in the following years, but for 2021 Chinook Blast is an outdoor event. Originally, it was meant to help provide an economic boost, adding vibrancy to the city in the winter. But it has evolved into more than that from a mental health viewpoint.

“In a world of everything being shut down, some of these events remind us that things are starting to return to normal,” Huston said. “I think Chinook Blast is a reminder of that. It’s a sense that things are going to be okay.”

Andrew Szeto, professor of psychology at the University of Calgary, believes the pandemic has eroded some of those aspects that constitute our positive mental health, such as emotional, social and psychological well being.

“I think an event like this really ticks the boxes and it helps to alleviate or combat some of those things that we’re missing,” Szeto said. “Things like breaking up the routine; we’re stuck in this routine at home. Going out and experiencing nature, being happy, that has a positive impact on our mental health as well.

“But I think one of the biggest things that we’re missing is the lack of connection to our community and to others. If we can do it safely, this would have a positive impact on our mental health,” said Szeto, adding that kudos to the organizers are in order.

“It’s very important to do something like this,” he said. “It shows that the community actually cares for everybody, getting people to come together in a safe way. It creates community spirit; we can celebrate the resiliency that we have as a community. We often overlook that positive aspect; we come together to combat the negative things that have happened and to show the community that we’re strong.”

As Chinook Blast spokesman Jeff Hessel noted, “What I can say, Calgary needs this.

“We’re in a time when people are cooped up in their homes and we’ve had a long go with COVID,” said Hessel. “We’re hoping hardy Calgarians will dress for the weather, really bundle up and be prepared to be outdoors.”

• A floral pop-up installation will be set up at the Central Calgary Library selfie booth, while Municipal Plaza is transformed into Laser Plaza.

• When to go? The festival operates from 3 to 9 p.m. around three weekends: 1.) Saturday, Feb. 13 to Sun., Feb. 14; 2.) Friday, Feb. 19 to Sunday, Feb. 21; and, 3.) Friday, Feb. 26 to Sunday, Feb. 28.

More info is at chinookblast.ca.