LITTLE CURRENT—Throwing Manitoulin’s “biggest bash” year after year is no easy feat and it takes a lot of dedicated volunteers to pull off an event like Haweater Weekend and one dedicated leader. In the case of the Little Current Lions Club, that’s Lion President Bruce Burnett, Haweater Weekend co-chair. Lion Bruce’s fellow Haweater co-chair is Lion Lori Draper.
Lion Bruce has been the keeper of the “Haweater bible” for decades now, a task he inherited from the late Frank Reynolds. Some Haweaters will recall the days of Lion Frank driving around Little Current in his red Jimmy with bullhorn in hand, announcing the Haweater events that were coming up. It’s safe to say that the Haweater Weekend chair must be enthusiastic.
A group of (equally enthusiastic) Lions form the Haweater committee and they meet diligently all year long, coming up with ideas for the big weekend, putting together grant requests with the help of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, writing letters, coming up with a new theme (this year it’s Alo-Haw with the design created by Emerson Brewer-Case) and making sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed. In fact, in case anyone wondered, the Lions were so on the ball this year that they ordered and picked up the Haweater liquor order in advance of the strike. So regardless of what happens on the LCBO picket lines, ball players and Hawfesters will be able to imbibe in a tipple of their choice, if they so choose.
Lion Bruce was able to get away for a little pre-Haw vacation with his grandchildren in Alberta, so he’s coming home refreshed and ready to tackle the Civic Holiday Weekend with all that Alo-Haw spirit.
“I can’t wait to share what we’ve got lined up for our 55th annual Haweater Weekend,” Lion Bruce shared with The Expositor.
The Carver Kings just can’t get enough of Little Current it seems, and they’re making a return to the former fire hall parking lot on the corner of Meredith and Worthington streets all Haweater long, from Wednesday, July 31 to the holiday Monday.
Haweater Weekend is all about giving back, and the Lions encourage visitors and Haweaters alike to spend as much as they can in the community this weekend and that means supporting great events like the Royal Canadian Legion wing night on Thursday, August 1 or their famous steak dinner the following day, Friday, August 2.
“Little Current’s downtown will be closed from Friday morning until Sunday night following the fireworks and street dance which gives everyone a great opportunity to shop locally,” said Lion President Bruce Burnett. Stores and eateries will be having special Haweater deals, so be sure to take advantage of the sales and specials.
Lion Bruce encourages everyone to check out the events listing as there are plenty of other things to see and do downtown too like a visit to the Psychic Chantel, face painting for the kids, music at the cenotaph, yoga, the farmers’ market and plenty of opportunities to dance!
“For the kids we’ve got lots of great things lined up, such as the soapbox derby on Saturday morning, inflatables and rock climbing at Low Island, the 19th annual cardboard boat races, a children’s show on Saturday at Expositor Square, ‘slime time’ at the library and kids’ games at Low Island on Sunday,” Lion Bruce shares.
If you’re feeling a little sporty there’s always the annual mixed slo-pitch tournament (Lion Bruce’s pride and joy), yoga on the docks, the 5K Haw Run or beach volleyball.
Anglers will be happy to learn that Little Current is again a stop on the Huron Bass Tour with a special one-day Haweater Weekend bass tournament from 8 am to 4 pm. For full details see the events listing on Page 7.
New to Haweater Weekend this year is a silent auction being held at Little Current United Church on 5 Robinson Street, close to downtown on both Friday and Saturday. It promises to have some amazing finds.
“The two-dance floor Hawfest is back this year by popular demand,” Lion Bruce adds, noting that the Lions will be taking over both the arena and curling club floors for not one but two Hawfest dances. “Both sides are licenced so Hawfesters can wander back and forth between the two venues.”
“We couldn’t do this without the generosity of our many sponsors,” Lion Bruce states. “Haweater Weekend is truly a community effort. If it weren’t for the sponsors, the help of the municipality and the many people who support us, we couldn’t make it happen.”
“We also thank the people who support us all year long, be it by buying Catch the Ace tickets or attending Winterfest—thank you, miigwetch—this weekend is truly for you.”
“Have a safe and Happy Haweater,” Lion Bruce adds. “Alo-Haw!”
