LITTLE CURRENT—The Little Current Lions Winterfest celebration of all things winter has returned with an action-packed weekend of events sure to tickle anyone’s mittens.
Get your creative mojo working! The Manitoulin Expositor is hosting a snow sculpture contest for all residents of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, Sheguiandah First Nation and Aundeck Omni Kaning. Contact Debbie at 705-368-2744 by 4 pm Friday, February 3 or by emailing services@manitoulin.com to register. Yes, there will be prizes!
Since Friday is a PD day for Island students, the Town of NEMI is hosting a Winterfest public skate at the recreation centre arena from 12 noon to 2 pm, and from 1 pm to 3 pm, winter-inspired crafts and games with NEMI events coordinator Lisa Hallaert will be taking place in the rec centre lobby. The action picks up across town at the Little Current Public Library from 3 pm to 5 pm for Creativity Club, where youth will be experimenting with watercolours.
Adults aren’t left out either. At 6 pm the Winterfest beer garden and kitchen opens upstairs in the NEMI rec centre hall just as the Winterfest hockey action gets underway down on the ice.
Throughout the weekend Manitoulin Nordic Ski Club is hosting a Try Our Trails weekend in honour of Winterfest. So dust off those cross-country skis or snowshoes and head to any of the ski club’s trails at Honora Bay, Maple Ridge (Community Living property) and McLean’s Park in Assiginack. Best of all, it’s all free—no membership is necessary during Winterfest Weekend.
Manitoulin Snowdusters Poker Chip Run in Memory of Todd ‘TC’ Corbiere is running throughout the weekend, and hands are only $20 each—available by contacting Chris Laidley (call or text 705-862-2616) or email info@laidley-stationery.ca. You don’t even need a sled, you can collect chips by snowmobile or car. Proceeds go to prizes and funds for club trails (This event runs through to February 28).
Little Current Lions will be offering tasty treats from the rec centre kitchen all weekend long, with burgers, sausages, chili cheese dogs, pizza, grilled cheese, soup and more to fuel your weekend fun.
Start out at 8 am to 11 am at the recreation centre hall for the Lions’ famous Winterfest breakfast, where pancakes, eggs, toast, bacon and sausage will be on offer. Children 5 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult breakfast.
Winterfest hockey resumes at 8 am and the beer gardens will open at 9 am.
At 10 am on Saturday, Little Current Curling Club encourages all Winterfesters to give curling a try. Everyone is welcome to try their hand and hurry, hurry, hurry!
Dinner will start at 4:30 pm and feature the Lions’ renowned spaghetti dinner upstairs in the rec centre hall and at 9 pm the Winterfest Dance will help you dance the night away to the musical curation of DJ Beth. This event is also free, but open to those age of majority only.
On Sunday the champs come out to play. At 2 pm it’s the Oldtimers hockey championships, at 3 pm Women’s hockey championships, at 4 pm the Sportsmen ‘B’ championships and at 5 pm it’s the Sportsmen ‘A’ championships.
Don’t let the winter blues get you down this weekend, come on out and join friends and neighbours with a great excuse to catch up.
