HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-02-07, Page 10�i.
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Page 10
Times -Advocate, February 7,1996
The best 1s yet to come for
Grand Bend Winter Carnival
GRAND BEND - How cold was it during the fust
weekend of the Grand Bond Winter Carnival?
John Musser, this year's chairperson, said they
had to take the brass monkey inside. However,
many people braved the cold to partake in the many
,;vents scheduled for the first half of the ten day car-
nival.
This year marked the 10th anniversaly.
of the carnival and its mascot's birthday,
Benguin the life-sized black, red and
white bird. Organizers are celebrating
Benguin's 10th birthday as a theme this
winter and they are halfway through an
ambitious 30 event schedule ending Sun-
day.
With the temperatures dipping below -23 degrees
celsius and the wind chill factor making it feel
colder than that, the carnival got off to a sizzling
start Friday night at the fashion show.
Held at the Grand Bend Legion, the event has tra-
ditionally been a kick-off for the carnival setting
the tone for the rest of the week and this year's
show was no exception.
It was standing room only as over 50 local mod-
els, previewed the latest in fashions from Grand
Bend stores, Rosi's Children's Wear, Lea Nelson,
Bikini Village and Exeter stores Horse'n Around,
Anne's Fashionation and Sisters.
The technical crew from Huron Country Play-
house lent their expertise for the evening and pro-
vided the lighting and sound giving the show a pro-
fessional edge that bolstered the lively and up -beat
atmosphere.
Laurie Clark, fashion show organizer, said the
event was a good way for local stores to introduce
their spring lines and the audience was very re-
ceptive.
Musser was also pleased with how the opening
day unfolded.
"Hopefully people will leave here with a good
feeling and that will set the tone for the rest of the
10 days," he said.
Despite the cold, only the figure skating event
was cancelled. The frigid temperatures were re-
sponsible for a low turnout at the snow -pitch games
and some other outdoor activities, and the lack
a = - , of snow forced organizers to scale -down
the Children's Village located in the Co-
lonial Hotel parking lot.
The childrens snow sculpting was post-
poned to Monday in hopes the weather
would become a little more forgiving, but
the adults persevered and carried on with
the local business snow sculpting contest on
Saturday. The winners were Finnegan's Restaurant
for best impact, Big V won the best detail category
and Marty and Associates took first prize for best
use of color.
Grand Bend Public School was tied for first place
with West Williams school carving a "Benguin's
birthday party" figure set while Exeter Public
School placed fourth with a caricature of Benguin
himself.
Musser said there are many events left in the
schedule for the remainder of the carnival including
a Rotary Club Casino at Oakwood Inn, the Waiter's
obstacle race, childrens skating party, the Winter
Carnival parade and jazz liturgy at the Grand Bend
United Church featuring the Can -Am Sextet.
But the carnival's main attraction will take place
from Thursday through Saturday as 12 inter-
national snow sculpting teams from Mexico, Po-
land, United States and Canada arrive in Grand
Bend bringing eight foot blocks of snow to life,
transforming them into animated creatures in cel-
ebration of Benguin's birthday.
"The fun isn't over yet," said Musser.
Local snow sculptors, Kevin Poole and Bryan Mentz carve
out a Benguin sculpture in front of the Lakeview cafe on
Saturday.
Its a birthday pattyl" John Wall, leR, and Josh McCann
explore some of the many North Pole sculptings carved
into the sides of the Rotary Children's Village.
r.�
Benguin, the Winter Cami-
val Mascot, makes his
birthday debut at the fash-
ion show on Friday.
- Joseph Viher takes a high angle look at a giant Walrus snow sculpture Saturday after-
noon. The Walrus was one of the many North Pole animated creatures created by Winter
Carnival volunteers at the Rotary Children's village in Grand Bend. The carnival is celebrat-
ing its 10th anniversary this winter with an ambitious 10 day schedule filled with many
events for children as well as adults and seniors.
Grand Bend Winter Carnival
"How does tMs o,* look?" Area children fashioned for
Rosi's Children's Wear during the Fashion show on friday
night. The kids never missed a step and the show was a
huge success among the standing room only audience.
1
Ju11e Christina strikes a pose on the run-
way during the Grand Bend Winter Carni-
val fashion show on Friday night. Christi-
na was modelling the latest In spring
line styles from Sisters Clothing store 11,
Exeter. Anne's Fashlonatlpn and Horse'N
Around, also from Exeter, participated in ,;.,�,.s.l
the show featuring over 50 local models. A j4.`""$"4
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