Whiteout party freezing more downtown streets

No, winter is not returning to downtown Winnipeg, but things will be a whole lot whiter come Tuesday.

Economic Development Winnipeg has announced their second round Whiteout Party dates and another expansion to the party after round one's incredible turnout.

The next two Whiteout Parties will be:

Tuesday, May 1: 5:00 p.m. party start (game time 7:00 p.m.)
Thursday, May 3: 7:00 p.m. party start (game time 8:30 p.m.)

For all home playoff games in the second round, the Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party will close Donald Street from Portage Avenue to St Mary Avenue, and Graham Avenue from Garry Street to Hargrave Street.

In addition, Smith Street will now be shut down between Graham Avenue and Portage Avenue, adding additional room for Winnipeg Jets fans.

"In round one we saw the city come out in an unprecedented wave of support for their city," said Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg in a statement. "The Winnipeg Whiteout Street Party has put our city on the map. People from across North America were amazed by the energy of our hockey fans, as well as our fierce Winnipeg pride."

Along with an increase in size, the expansion will now include a massive new screen, which measures 36 feet by 22 feet, as well as additional amenities and vendors. The family area at Millenium Library will remain as well.

An estimated 35,000 people attended the three street parties during the Jets first-round series against the Minnesota Wild. Economic Development Winnipeg did not give an estimate on numbers but do expect it to continue to grow.

The total cost of all three parties was $394,000, with $226,000 coming from True North Sports. Economic Development Winnipeg paid $28,000, with the city paying the remaining $140,000.