Prince George's Mardi Gras of Winter Society has permanently closed its doors.
The society presented its last Mardi Gras Snow Daze Winter Festival March 15 to 28, having had to be bumped from its usual dates because of the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
"I've been with the society for 37 of the 40 years it has existed and all things live their time," said Aileen Snow, past president and treasurer of the society.
"Maybe it's time for something new to take over."
Snow said the board is made up of eight older people.
"We have no new ideas and we just weren't able to recruit enough strong board members who could recruit strong organizing committees," said Snow.
"The Winter Games kind of hurt us financially because we couldn't hold it during our normal times because we couldn't get venues so we had to move to March and by that time I think people were tired of festivities. I'm not blaming the Winter Games, it was good for the city but it was just an accumulation of things."
Snow recalls that when Mardi Gras started, people were eagerly looking for things to do and that's changed over time.
"The need for festivals just isn't there anymore," said Snow.
"People don't volunteer the same way they did 20 years ago either. They just don't have the time."
Over the years, Prince George businesses have been very supportive of Mardi Gras, said Snow.
After the lease is up June 30, the office will be closed, with the part-time manager - the only paid employee - left without a job.
As Snow puts her energy into spending time with two of her great grandchildren, she's hoping some other group may take on the society.
"I had very mixed feelings when we closed the doors but reality has to step in at times," said Snow.
"A few people can't keep something that size going and we have not voluntarily dissolved the society yet, in case someone else wants to pick it up there's an opportunity anytime in the next two years."
The Society's Act states if a society does not provide an annual report for two years, the society will be dissolved.
"It's been a good run," said Snow.
