From the opening ceremonies, to the culture festival, to the medals themselves. The arts will be an integral part of next year's Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.

(Red Deerians gather for the Culture Cafe at the Golden Circle)

Steve Kwasny, manager of partnerships and special events for the Games, says when people attend major sporting events, they remember more than just what happens in the game.

“There are specific sport moments people remember but they also remember opening and closing ceremonies. They’ll remember what celebration festivals were like. Those pieces all create a fuller experience,” Kwasny said during last night’s Culture Cafe at the Golden Circle, a discussion amongst the arts community held by the City of Red Deer.

“One of the things we want to do is shine a light on all this incredible talent we have locally and make people really proud to be central Albertans.”

Throughout the 18 days of the Games, there will be an arts and culture festival at the former Central Elementary School site, which is being transformed into a celebration plaza.

Kwasny was tight-lipped about the details, he says the festival will include performances on the main stage, ice sculptures and other attractions.

He says it's about celebrating what central Alberta is all about.

“Central Alberta is and always has been a gathering place of many people, traditionally and historically, even now. It’s really a welcoming place for folks and we want to celebrate that. And we really want to do some cool stuff around celebrating that we are a winter city.”