By Sandra Bednarek
Happy New Year to all of my readers in and around New Lowell!
I am sure you are all settled in now after the Christmas season to enjoy winter and the fun it brings. So let’s start with “the greatest little show on snow”: Sunnidale Winterama, the carnival that has celebrated winter for 38 years in the village of New Lowell on the first weekend in February. Volunteers have organized this multi-day event filled with great family fun. Sunnidale Winterama takes place in New Lowell from Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 2.
This year the annual carnival will have a “redneck” theme! New to the event is an amateur comedy night. They have got two amateur comedians booked and are looking for others who would like to try out their material. Dubbed “The Redneck Comedy Show,” the fun is set for the Friday, starting at 9 pm, at the New Lowell Legion on County Road 9. Admission is $2 per person.
Another new event this year is a craft show. It will take place at New Lowell United Church on County Road 9, from 11 am to 3 pm, on the Saturday. Local crafters will have a variety of creations for sale at the show. If you would like to rent a table for your crafts, contact Jessica Co’Dyre at jessicacodyre@gmail.com or 705-424-0395. The United Church Ladies will host a bake table along with the crafts. Come in out of the cold for a visit and see the talents of your neighbours.
As with every Winterama, the fun starts with the spaghetti supper on the Friday night. It will take place at the
New Lowell Legion, from 4:30 to 7 pm. The supper is organized by members of the Clearview Fire Department. The cost is $8 for people age 13 or older, $5 for children age six to 12, and children age five and under eat for free.
Following dinner, the activity shifts to New Lowell Recreation Park, where there will be a fireworks show, outdoor skating and the Burning of the Green – a massive bonfire comprised of discarded Christmas trees.
On the Saturday, the first Winterama activity of the day is a pancake breakfast – delicious pancakes served with maple syrup and sausages! – at the New Lowell Legion, followed by the Winterama parade.
The theme for the parade is “Redneck Winter.” It will form on Greengage Road starting at 10 am and start at 10:30 am. The prime viewing spot is along County Road 9. People interested in entering a float are asked to email hinchey@simcoemail.com or jessicacodyre@gmail.com. Come out and wave to all of your friends as they get into the Winterama Spirit! I am sure you will see many interesting floats.
Opening ceremonies for Winterama will take place on Saturday at 11 am at New Lowell Recreation Park. Several local dignitaries will be present, including Councillor Deb Bronée, who represents the area.
First up will be a demonstration from our local Fire Department; a must-see for the whole family. Children’s games will then run in the park, including the always-popular “turkey bowling.” Just as the name implies, it’s bowling with frozen turkeys. The games wrap up around 12:30 pm when the snowmobile radar run race kicks off at the park. The cost is $10 per entry and registration is in the park from 10 am to noon.
Fans of euchre won’t want to miss the tournament planned for the Saturday afternoon. It runs from 1 to 4 pm at the Legion. The cost ($4 for each person) includes a light lunch.
Saturday night is the Winterama dance at the Legion at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 each and available at the door. Co’Dyre noted they have a DJ planned for this year, and added that a variety of music will be played.
On Sunday, the Legion will host a breakfast from 9 am to noon. The Barrie Snowmobile Club Fun Run will start at 9 at the Legion.
And so wraps up the 38th year of Winterama; a perfect weekend to invite relatives, neighbours and friends to our area to see how we celebrate winter in a fun way!