The gym at Peace Arch Elementary was bursting with the sounds and smells of French culture and tradition Friday, as Grade 4 French Immersion students took part in Carnaval.
The event – in its second year at the school – was organized by teacher Yasmin Yalpani, who first hosted such a festival in 2011, at South Surrey's Bayridge Elementary.
Yalpani said the two classes of students began looking into the Quebec festival in February, to gain an understanding of what Carnaval is all about.
Friday's activities – with the help of Grade 7 students – included a snow-shoe race using shoe boxes; a dog-sled race using burlap sacks; a paper-canoe race; dining on crepes; trying their hand at playing spoons; learning traditional dances; and a visit from festival king, Bonhomme.
"As soon as kids know about the culture, it really hooks them," Yalpani said.
"Now, many of them are talking about wanting to go to Quebec to see the real winter carnival."