LITTLE CURRENT—After two long years, the Little Current Lions Club is pleased to welcome back Haweater Weekend this Civic holiday long weekend with the theme of ‘Yee-Haw’ for the 53rd annual homecoming event, so polish those boots, don that 10 gallon hat and get ready to lasso in some fun.
The merrymaking gets started today, Wednesday, July 27 when the Carver Kings make another Haweater appearance with their chainsaw carvings at the old firehall parking lot. The Carver Kings will be stationed there every day through to Sunday, July 31.
On Thursday, July 28, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #177 in Little Current is inviting you to its famous wing night from 4 to 8 pm.
Beginning Friday, July 29 through to Sunday, July 31 the main street will be closed to vehicular traffic. Come shop the local downtown businesses and peruse the pedestrian mall of vendors.
On Friday the Legion is inviting you back for another delicious meal: the Legion is once again hosting its famous barbecue steak dinner from 5 to 7 pm for just $18 a person. What a deal!
The Haweater slo-pitch tournament gets underway at 6 pm and runs through until the championship games on Sunday. Stop by and watch some ball, enjoy a cold beverage and support the Lions barbecue at the Lions Club pavilion at Low Island.
While there isn’t a traditional opening ceremony this year, you are still invited downtown at 6 pm to enjoy live music by George Williamson and friends. Goodwill offerings to the Manitoulin Food Bank are gratefully accepted.
Father/daughter duo Dave and Beth Draper will be spinning the country classics at the Yee-Haw Classic Country dance at the NEMI recreation centre, curling club side, beginning at 8 pm. Special guests Joe and Beth Arnold will be on hand to showcase line dancing too. This is a licenced event, so age of majority only, please.
After a night of country fun, head to the downtown docks for yoga at 9 am. Please meet at the birdcage lighthouse.
The Haweater soapbox derby makes a triumphant return at 9 am on Vankoughnet Street. Don’t forget your helmet!
The downtown farmers’ market also gets going at 9 am until noon with a little something for all tastes. It’s located on Water Street East, on both sides of the street just past the bank of Montreal.
The famed Haweater horse show gets underway at 9 am, too. The horse ring can be found behind the tennis courts, to the rear of the NEMI Recreation Centre.
While you’re at the arena, be sure to check out the Haweater Classic Car Cruise-in at the recreation centre parking lot. The Lions will be hosting a barbecue on site, so please bring your appetite.
Sticking with the rec centre, the upstairs hall will be transformed into a lazer tag funhouse until 5 pm. It’s just $15 for the whole day! The fun begins again Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.
The Thinking Caps band promises a show not to be missed. There are three shows on Saturday, 11 am, 1:30 and 3:30 pm, at the Cenotaph in downtown Little Current. Kids and parents alike will be moving and grooving to the rock and roll sounds of this children’s entertainment group.
After enjoying The Thinking Caps first show, don’t forget to get your face painted by Olivia, downtown until 3 pm.
Low Island will once again be home to bouncy fun starting at noon when inflatables take over the landscape. The inflatables will be open again on Sunday, also at noon.
The Esposto family is again hosting beach volleyball at the Low Island court. Registration takes place at noon.
Set sail for Low Island at 12:30 pm when the 17th annual cardboard boat race launches from the shores. Be sure to check out this must-see Haweater staple.
Canada’s fastest growing sport, pickleball, will get its very own Haweater demonstration at the Little Current pickleball courts at the recreation centre at 1 pm.
Head back downtown, starting at 1 pm, for Manitoulin Brewing Co.’s Haweater Block Party featuring cold brews and live music all afternoon until 8 pm. Check out the musical stylings of AC/DC tribute band HI FI Canine, Wiikwemkoong’s own Elijah and the Backburners and Everett Morrison and Little Current’ Cole Hughson and Screech all in the post office parking lot.
Once you’re finished at the Block Party, it’s time to head to the recreation centre for the famous Hawfest dance, with two dance floors this year—Top 40 and new country. Tickets are available in advance from The Expositor Office and Boarderline. Age of majority only.
On Sunday, July 31, bring your lawn chair to the outdoor ecumenical service at the cenotaph at 10 am. This year’s service promises hymns and bubbles!
Need to sweep away the cobwebs of a night full of fun? There will be yoga on the docks at 11:30 am.
The much-loved Haweater parade will wend its way through the streets of Little Current at noon. Those with floats are asked to convene at Harbour View Road at 11:30 am.
Low Island Park is home once again to children’s games and activities at 3 pm.
In keeping with the Yee-Haw theme, learn to line dance with the Arnolds from 5 to 7 pm on the main street. No experience is required!
Once you’ve learned some new dance skills, show them off at the street dance, starting at 7 pm until 11 pm with a break, of course, for the famous fireworks display, Thunder Over the Channel.
Please see the full lineup of events on Page 15 of this newspaper and in the special supplement included inside.
Happy Haweater!
