MANITOULIN—As usual, Manitoulin has no end of great ways to ring in the New Year be it on the ice, with family or as a formal event. One need only choose their style.
In Little Current, children are encouraged to celebrate in a pre-New Year’s Day event on Wednesday, December 30, one day before the big day, at the Little Current Legion. There is a party where children aged 5 to 12 are welcome to celebrate between 6 and 8 pm with a mock countdown at 8 pm. The cost is $5 per child with refreshments available for purchase.
Also in Little Current, the popular Swing Bridge Classic held by the Little Current Curling Club has a new date—New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The cost is $30 per person with everyone guaranteed three six-end games (the teams are chosen for you). On New Year’s Eve there will be a free pizza party at the curling club with cash bar and plenty of fun. On New Year’s Day, there is a Friday potluck dinner. To register, call Mandy at 705-368-2475 or Margot at 705-368-3120.
More activities at the Northeast Town Recreation Centre includes a municipally-hosted Family New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 from 5 to 8 pm. There will be skating, ‘minute to win it,’ games, snacks and a countdown too.
The Little Current Legion is also hosting a New Year’s Eve dance with music by DJ Kaitlin Young from 9 pm to 1 am. A light lunch will be served with hats and horns for purchase.
Again in Little Current, the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre is offering its Masquerade Ball. The cost is $80 per person and includes a four-course plated dinner and glass of champagne at midnight. A dress code is in effect and the masquerade theme should be fun. The hotel is also offering a special discounted rate for partygoers wishing to stay the night for just $99. For tickets, please call 705-368-9966.
In Wikwemikong, the community and Grade 10 NAC students invite all to join them for the annual New Year’s Eve powwow and feast held at Wikwemikong High School from 7 pm to midnight. This year’s theme is ‘Honouring Our Spirits’ with special prizes being offered to the two ‘specials’ of the night: ages 3 to 5 (future leaders) and ages 6 to 12 (young leaders).
The master of ceremonies for the powwow is up and comer announcer Adrian Trudeau with the host drum the Chippewa Travellers, head dancers Chief Duke Peltier and Shauna Pitawanakwat, and head youth dancers Geordan Lewis and Aurora Ominika-Enosse.
As always with this event, Wikwemikong’s communities are asked to bring certain dishes to the feast: Wiikwemkoong, meat dishes; Murray Hill/Cape Smith, potato dishes; Wiikwemkoonhsing/Kaboni, breads; South Bay, drinks; and Buzwah, desserts.
The Tehkummah Seniors are asking Islanders to join them to dance in the New Year from 9 pm to 2 am. The cost for this special event is $18 or $35 per couple. Entertainment by the Robbie Shawanda band. For tickets call Linda at 705-859-3579 or Margaret at 705-859-3738.
In Gore Bay, the Gore Bay Curling Club will be the scene of plenty of family fun as the Town of Gore Bay hosts a New Year’s Eve Family Fun Night from 7 pm to midnight.
Team games will be held from 7 to 10:30 pm. Activities include the viewing of a children’s movie, activities, food, prizes and fireworks at midnight! The cost is $5 per person with kids under five free. A cash bar will be available. For more information or to register a team, please call Stasia at 705-282-2420 ext. 4 or email her at scar@gorebay.ca.
The Providence Bay/Spring Bay Lions Club is roaring in the New Year with a dance at the Providence Bay Hall from 8 pm to 2 am. The cost is $15 per person with music by DJ John Roy. For tickets, please call Matt Young at 705-377-7149 or pick them up at Buie’s in Spring Bay.
On New Year’s Day, January 1, all are invited to the New Year’s Day powwow at the M’Chigeeng community complex starting at noon. Don’t forget to bring your feast bundles!
To all our readers, have a safe, happy and healthy New Year!
