ICE LAKE – The annual Ice Lake Community Canada Day Picnic made a very triumphant return this year.
“Yes, we were quite pleased with how everything turned out,” stated Max Burt, chair of the event organizing committee. “We had more youth and children on hand at the picnic than I’ve seen for years. There were several young families who have established roots here that took part. I think it is a grand thing and hope it continues.”
Mr. Burt noted the annual community picnic on Canada Day, “is a long standing tradition, and maybe it needed to be canceled the past two years and brought it back to be such a success. I’m looking forward to the picnic and growth in the attendance numbers in the future.”
Approximately 125 people attended this year’s picnic, many from other parts of Manitoulin Island.
The day featured several race events, a shoe kick game, egg toss, water balloon toss, three-legged race and sack race, with events taking place in the different age categories.
The concession stand was open all day for people to purchase treats. A special thank you was provided by the organizers to community-minded businesses Dean’s Valu-Mart, Robertson Drug Store and Guardian Pharmacy for their generous donations to this cause.
The auction proved to be another very successful fundraiser. There was a draw for another Austin Pickard wooden toy (this year being a loader).
In the afternoon a pick-up ball game was held and afterwards Kyle Burt announced there would be a ball game at the Ice Lake picnic ground each Sunday evening starting at 7 pm for July and August.
The outgoing executive group was thanked for their efforts over the past several years and the incoming executive group was introduced. The new executive includes Max Burt as president, Dave and Stephanie Hillyard as secretary-treasurer and Kyle Burt as director for the race events.
The picnic has been held for over 100 years.
