MANITOWANING—The 32nd annual Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club Summerfest in Manitowaning this weekend, July 18 to 20, is sure to be a smashing good time!
The homecoming weekend begins this Friday night at 6:30 pm with the always-popular family ball hockey tournament on the arena floor. Teams must pre-register by emailing Janet McComb at giblet_janet@hotmail.com.
At 7 pm the mixed slow pitch ball tournament begins (all proceeds go to community hockey), as does the beer garden and the Lions barbecue, so come out and support your Lions! A $2 admission will be charged for all adults entering the Summerfest grounds. Be sure to purchase 50/50 tickets from Lions members over the course of the weekend to help their continued good works in the Assiginack community.
Slow pitch gets underway at 9 am, as does the pancake breakfast at the Knox United Church Hall, continuing until 11 am and the start of the parade. This year’s parade theme is ‘Clowning Around.’ To enter a float, contact Lion Marilyn at 705-859-2578, or dress up as your favourite circus character. Following the parade there will be free kids’ games and prizes.
After a few games, Lions members will be waiting to feed your appetite at the Lions Pavilion with sausages, hamburgers and hot dogs. Entertainment will begin at 1 pm with great local talent featuring Brian Simon’s Johnny Cash tribute, Wayne Smith, Ben Lentir, Leslie Neshkiwe, Debbie Robinson and more. Come one, come all!
At 3 pm the horse pull gets underway at the fairgrounds. Who will pull the heaviest stoneboat? Come find out!
On Saturday night be prepared to dance the night away with a video dance party by KICX 91.7 FM from 9 pm to 1 am at the arena. Tickets are $15 at the door. Age of majority only, so please bring your photo identification.
On Sunday the Minor Hockey snack booth opens at 12 noon in the Lions Pavilion, just in time for the highlight of the weekend, the annual smash-up derby. This annual event attracts spectators from all over Manitoulin as modified vehicles look to smash their way to supremacy and be crowned king or queen of the smash-up derby. The grand prize totals $800. For those involved in the derby, driver registration, inspection and driver meeting will be held on the track at 11 am. For more information, contact Lion Bill Smith at 705-859-3645 or Lion Gary Lewis at 705-859-3104.
The draw for the 50/50 tickets will be held at the Pavilion at 4 pm.
See you in Manitowaning!
