LITTLE CURRENT—It’s the midway point of summer already, which also means it’s time for the Little Current Lions Club’s Haweater Weekend—Manitoulin’s largest homecoming festival.
This year’s theme is to ‘Keep calm and act like a Haweater,’ and what would a Haweater do this weekend? Why take in all the great events on offer, of course!
On Thursday evening, the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre will see the 2014 Miss Manitoulin crowned by last year’s winner Brooke Debassige. Admission to the event is only $5 and begins at 7 pm.
On Friday, Low Island Park will be a hive of activity as vendors will be set up all day, along with pony rides for children. The annual slow-pitch tournament gets underway at 6 pm, also at Low Island.
All weekend long, the Hydro One Discovery Centre will be open for visitors at the fire hall.
The Royal Canadian Legion in Little Current will serve up a delicious barbecue steak dinner from 5 to 7 pm before its dance gets underway in the hall at 9 pm.
Haweater Weekend kicks off Friday evening at 6:30 pm with live music featuring the Anti-Depressants, back by popular demand, with the opening ceremonies commencing at 7 pm.
Also at 7 pm, Circus Jonathan will amaze and wow audiences at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Robinson Street. The cost is $5 per child, with parents free! Circus Jonathan can also be found on Saturday at 1:30 pm at Low Island and again at 4:30 pm in downtown Little Current, as well as roaming the town.
As is Haweater tradition, MuchMusic will be pumping out the tunes at the arena from 8 pm to midnight for the annual teen dance Friday.
On Saturday, the Haw Run begins at 8 am with three categories: 10k, 5k and the 1k kids fun run. The seventh annual co-ed soccer tournament also begins at 8 am at the Low Island pitch.
Vendors, pony rides and slow-pitch will be on offer all day at Low Island Park.
At 9 am, the farmers’ market gets underway at the BMO corner downtown, as does yoga on the docks. Those interested in taking part in the yoga session are asked to meet at the birdcage lighthouse on the east end of the downtown finger docks with their mats. Yoga will again be offered on Sunday, also at 9 am.
Looking for something a little more energetic? Take an adult Zumba class at the recreation centre hall at 10 am.
Water Street, east of the BMO, will be closed from 10 am until 4 pm for the 12th annual Haweater Cruise-In where classic cars will be parked for passersby to ‘ooh’ and ‘aww’ over them.
Hey kids! At 11 am, meet Bella the Clown downtown for ‘Cooking with Bella,’ a fun and informative session with Manitoulin’s favourite clown. Bella will also be on hand at 1:30 pm at the cenotaph.
At 11:30 am, Hot Wheels enthusiasts should bring their favourite cars to race on the Hot Wheels track across from NAPA on Water Street, sponsored by NBS Auto. Great prizes.
A Haweater signature event, the cardboard boat races will begin at 12 noon from the swimming docks at Low Island. Come early to get a good view of all the fun! At noon the beach volleyball tournament also begins at Low Island.
What’s a summer festival on Manitoulin without a horse pull? See whose team can pull the heaviest load at the horse ring behind the arena at 1 pm.
Also at 1 pm, head to the Nolan Sisson Skate Park at Low Island to see some amazing BMX stunts by Josh Shaw.
Lion Noreen will be offering up some cribbage action at 2 pm at the Lions Den. Call her at 705-368-3256 to register.
After rave reviews last year, Little Ray’s Reptile Show is back at the Little Current Public School gymnasium for another Haweater, this time featuring a Eurasian lynx named Hazard! The cost is $5 per person. Catch the show at 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm on Saturday and 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm on Sunday.
A new addition to the Haweater lineup this year is Manitou Magic of Wikwemikong and his interactive magic show. Catch him at the cenotaph at 3:30 pm and again on Sunday at 7 pm at Expositor Square.
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a pie-eating champion? Come find out at 4 pm at the cenotaph in downtown Little Current.
If the weekend so far hasn’t worked up a healthy appetite, we just don’t know what to say, but if it has, then head to the Little Current United Church for their famous fish dinner on Saturday with two sittings at 5:15 and 6:30 pm.
A day of good fun ends with the annual Hawfest licenced dance when over 750 celebrants descend upon the arena for a good time. Advanced tickets are $10 or $18 at the door.
On Sunday, head back to Low Island for a visit with the alpacas of Lobo Loco farm.
The congregation of the Little Current United Church invites you to a special Haweater Weekend worship service at 10:30 pm.
For some great western entertainment, the horse ring will play host to a horse show with western and speed events.
From 11 am to 11 pm, the downtown core will be closed to traffic to make way for vendors, a merchants’ sidewalk sale, food and more. Also at 11 am, the Northeast Town firefighters will again be barbecuing up some tasty treats at the annual community picnic at the fire hall until 2 pm.
The Haweater parade will begin at noon, so grab a curbside seat for this Haw tradition.
For more card playing fun, a euchre tournament will be held at 2 pm in the Lions Den.
Back for an encore presentation, the Anti-Depressants will perform at the cenotaph band shell stage from 3 to 5 pm.
At 3 pm, the Children’s Aid Society-sponsored children’s games are always a big hit at Low Island Park, with plenty of prizes to be won.
Enjoy the tunes and have a dance at the MuchMusic street dance beginning at 7 pm before settling into your waterfront seat for the always-breathtaking end to a great weekend of fun—the mammoth fireworks display aptly titled ‘Thunder Over the Channel.’
And most of all, have a Happy Haweater.
