MANITOWANING—Rev up those engines, lawnmower or otherwise, for the 36th edition of the Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club’s Summerfest Weekend on this weekend, July 20-22, in Manitowaning.
The weekend begins this Friday, July 20 with the ever-popular ball tournament starting at 6 pm. New to the Summerfest lineup for Friday night is a family dance from 7 to 9 pm in the arena lobby.
Following the wrap-up of the evening ball games, head over to the Lions Pavilion starting at 9 pm for the musical stylings of Rural Roots, back by popular demand, until midnight. The beer gardens will also be open for business all evening, so head over for a cold drink and a snack from the Manitowaning Minor Hockey Association canteen.
On Saturday, July 21, the Knox United Church will be serving up delicious pancakes and all the fixings from 9 to 11 am before the parade, with the theme of ‘the race is on,’ making its way through the community beginning at 11 am. (Note: For those entering the parade, lineup time is 10:30 am at the arena.)
The ball tournament will have its start at 8 am and go throughout the day until a winner is crowned.
All weekend long, Big Bite Hot Dogs will be selling their famous hot dogs and sausages while the Manitoulin Community Church will be barbecuing up some ‘burgs, so save your appetite.
Over at the fairgrounds, peruse the many vendors that will be on hand featuring everything from crafts, clothing, jewellery and more while the kids get their jump on at the inflatables section, all from noon until 4 pm.
The Lions Pavilion will play host to more great music on Saturday with a country music jam from noon to 2 pm. The beer garden will be open at the pavilion from 11 am to 5 pm.
Help Jean McLennan, Manitowaning’s matriarch, celebrate her 100th birthday by stopping in at the celebrations from 1 to 4 pm at the Assiginack Curling Club. Best wishes only please!
Who’s the strongest of them all? Find out at the kids’ bike pull at 1 pm on the racetrack. Kids will see toboggans hooked up to their bikes and are tasked to try and ride as far as they can up to 100 metres with sandbags on the sled. Lion President Lisa Hallaert explained that the premise is the same as a horse pull, but with bikes! Bring your own bicycle or bikes will be supplied.
Starting at 1:30 pm, the first of the Summerfest races begins with the remote-control car races followed by the first ever (adult) lawnmower races. Lion President Lisa explained that those wishing to enter the lawnmower races must be 16 years of age. There are two classes in this new event: modified and stock. No decks are allowed and all entrants must have helmets.
The Summerfest dance begins at 9 am with VJ Blake Debassige spinning the tunes. Entry is $10 with great prizes to be won. The dance is for age of majority only.
Sunday holds the event everyone has been waiting for—the smashup derby! Who will reign supreme? Head to the fairgrounds for 1 pm to find out in Manitoulin’s one and only smashup derby.
The beer gardens will be in full swing from noon until 4 pm.
Admission is $5 for adults on Saturday, children 14 and under are free while on Sunday, children at $5 and children 14 and under are $3.50.
Happy Summerfest!
