HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-01-19, Page 21Wednesday, January 19, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance '21
Grand Bend Winter Carnival celebrates 25 years
Welcome �
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their D.ve Mapuira
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Lakeshor
It has been 25 years since a group of
local business people decided the
Grand Bend area needed an event in
the winter. Something fun that would
bring families and groups to fun events
that could be held in this shoulder sea-
son. The theme for this silver anniver-
sary is Back to the Beginning. It was not
until the 1987 carnival that mascot
Benguin was born,
2011 CARNIVAL
Most of the tried and true events are
still on the playlist. 'There will be a
schedule of events out in the very near
future.
This year Paddingtons will host shuf-
fleboard and the Optimist in conjunc-
tion with the Carnival is offering a free
magic show and mad science show at
the Grand Bend school. The parade this
year will be February 12th at 5:30 p.m.
followed by the fireworks at 8 p.m.
An entire day of fun for the entire
family. Check out the local restaurants
for breakfast lunch and dinner or sup-
port the Grand Bend United Church
after the parade for chili and desserts.
There will be some great prizes for a
ten dollar ticket. The Riverbend Bar
and Grill are donating a case of steaks,
Colonial/Gables a Coors Lite fridge,
there is a 40" television from Padding -
tons and grocery cards and a grand
prize trip to Vegas. There will also be a
50/50 draw that will also offer some
great cash prizes. Watch for signs at all
he participating locations. To hook
our snow box—an event that has
always been the highlight for many vis-
itors to the Bend- call Tracey Ulch
Windsor at 6919. For more information
call the Chamber of Commerce at 519-
238-2001.
IN THE BEGINNING...
'Ihe carnival concept was created in
1986 at a Chamber of Commerce meet-
ing where Dan Murphy a former Minis-
try of Tourism and Recreation member
attended as a special guest. Chamber
member Dave Sheppard said this group
was seeking ways to improve winter
tourism. The ministry guy was there to
give out dollars for foreign radio station
advertising and this group wanted the
US audience. It was discussed what, if
the advertising works, does Grand
Bend have to offer?
So, they put it in Sheppard?s court
and said okay.
The Winter Carnival began with three
events; snow pitch, ice skating on the
old river bed sponsored by the Grand
Bend Firefighter?s Association and
international snow sculpting. And so
the hype began. The first thing people
noticed was a plywood box at the
municipal office. This box would even-
tually be filled with snow. Winter carni-
val was a one -weekend event until
1989.
The late Col. Tom Lawson of London
was one of two contributors of $1,000
to get the Carnival going but Lawson
had asked that be kept a secret and it
was until this event celebrated ten
years. The Village of Grand Bend under
the former reeve Harold Green was the
other contributor,
So, Sheppard sought the assistance
from Marian Ogilvie, Susan (Roche)
Horton, MarJ Crowe, Marilyn Snook
and Karen Squires. The 1987 Winter
carnival budget was $7,155. They were
afraid they may not make enough
money. That was the same year the first
brochure came out and the year the
penguin mascot was named by young-
ster Jonathan Lovie. Horton had been
in Florida and found a stuffed penguin
and Crowe drew penguins on the
brochure while Sharon Miller sewed
the first costume.
By 1990 the international sled dog
race was introduced and helped boost
Winter Carnival to worldwide recogni-
tion. Snow sculpting caught on and
local businesses brought forth some
great creative talent. The Carnival
became incorporated in 1988. That was
also the year the first Carnival Queen
was crowned. Kerrin Mehegan was a
local girl and the next year she crowned
Kathy Merner as Winter Carnival
Queen 1989.
The year 1990 was marked by a spec-
tacular wedding high atop a snowy
cake. Laurie Beth Reycraft and Scott
Russell were married Feb. 14. In 2009
the Reycrafts came back with their two
daughters to watch as Tim and Cathy
Hoffman wed on a cake made of snow
in the same location as their wedding.
THEMES FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS...
1981k Planning of the
carnival
1967: Benguin is born - Win-
ter's a Beach
1988: Where summer meets
winter
1989: Benguin again
1990: Musical productions
1991: International
harmony
1992: Environmental Rs to
discover
1993: Kartoons 4 kids
1994: Mystical Magical
1995: Imagine a World of
Imagination
1996: Benguin's loth
Birthday
1997: 1-lanna Barbera
1998: Artigra
1999: S'Noah's Ark
2000: Spirit of 2000 Y2K
2001: Play in the Snow
2002: Play in the Snow
2003: Open
2004: Pirates of Grand Bend
2005: Joker is Wild
2006: Benguin's Chronicals
of Carnival - Creatures
Screatures and Fantas-
tical Tails.
2007: Benguin goes country
2008: Benguin in the Fifties
2009: Benguin does
Ilollywood
2010: Benguin carries the
torch
25th Annual Grand Bend
WINTER CARNIVAL
2 Big Weekends
Feb. 4th - 6th & Feb. 11 th - 13th
The Lakeshore Advance and Grand Bend Winter Carnival Committee are
co-ordinating a special WINTER CARNIVAL supplement
to be published on Wednesday. February 2. 2011
9,700 Copies Printed
The Lakeshore Advance. (Blanket Coverage.)
6430 copies, Exeter area 2200 copies.
Bayfield area 900 copies &
Hensall & area 650 copies.
BUSINESSES...
don't miss this opportunity to
promote your products and
services to the thousands of area
residents and the visitors
during the 2011 Winter Carnival.
Contact us for more information
Deadline for Advertising
Tuesday, January 25 / 11
2011 Theme:
"Back to the Beginning"
CALL: NEIL Today!
58 Ontario St., N.,
Grand Bend
Ph: 238-5383
Fax: 238-5131