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New Lowell is experiencing flashbacks to 40 years of winter fun at Sunnidale Winterama.
Flashback 40 is the theme of this year’s carnival and organizers are paying homage to the event’s roots and the people who have participated over the years.
Sunnidale Winterama has grown over the years from a one-day event to a weekend packed with activities.
Deborah Bronée, organizing committee member and Clearview Township councillor, said the event was conceived by a motion of Sunnidale Township council in 1976 and has been organized by a committee of council ever since. The goal was to bring the community together for some outdoor fun during the coldest time of the year.
“It’s about having a good time in the dead of winter,” said Bronée.
That first year, it was held by the pond at New Lowell Conservation Area in January and later it was moved to the main street because of the uncertainty of the ice quality.
In the beginning, there was a youth dance on Friday night and the adults would have a kitchen party at the Legion, which was in a house at the time. That’s when the beard contest judging would take place. On the Saturday night, there would be four dances, one at the community centre, Brentwood, Sunnidale Corners and the Legion.
“There are stories of people hooking up fireworks to the back of snowmobiles and doing a figure-eight,” said Bronée. “It has been a lot of fun.”
This year’s event will see a revival of the popular bed race and the return of long running favourite events like the parade.
Bronée said it was the second or third year that the snow queen contest was introduced. Although there isn’t a snow queen contest this year, organizers hope to see many of the past winners on a float in the parade.
Snowman Mania runs Friday, Feb. 5 to Sunday, Feb. 7.
On Friday night, there is a spaghetti supper from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by firefighters at the New Lowell Legion, followed by the Burning of the Green at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 7:30 p.m., at New Lowell Recreation Park at 7 p.m. Christmas trees can be dropped off at the park.
Three Yuk Yuk’s comedians – Julia Hladkowicz, Mayce Galoni and Nick Beaton – are preforming that night at the Legion. Tickets cost $5.
Saturday begins with a pancake breakfast and activities continue throughout the day at New Lowell Recreation Park. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and is preceded by the bed races. Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m. and the games begin at 11:30 a.m.
A bocce ball tournament, euchre, sno-pitch, soup-off, snowshoeing and baseball hitting competition are also planned.
New Lowell based band Little Foot (pictured: Steve Warren, vocals, Chuck Coates, lead guitar, Shawn Hughson, rhythm guitar, John Russell, bass guitar, Norm Franks on drums and Rob McCleary, sound and lighting) is performing at a dance at the New Lowell Legion on Saturday night. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Activities wrap up Sunday with breakfast at New Lowell Legion and the Barrie Snowmobile Club’s Fun Run.
Sunnidale Winterama buttons, which act as admission to many of the activities, are available for $2 at the event or in advance at New Lowell Legion and the Clearview Township office in Stayner. Tickets for specific events are also available online. Visit the Sunnidale Winterama Facebook page for details.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”http://creemore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Z-winterama40-1-JA22.jpg” image_width=”960″ image_height=”720″ title=”Sunnidale Winterama Flashback 40″ desc=”1986 Beard Growing Contest: John Noble (from left), Len Robinson, Winterama Willie, Wayne Tivendale and Dan Kneeshaw.” caption_location=”outside-image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”http://creemore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Z-winterama40-2-JA22.jpg” image_width=”960″ image_height=”720″ desc=”1985 winners of the tug of war contest: New Lowell legion – Ken Duff, Yogi Gaudrealt, Toosje Vasvari, Albert Verstraten, Richard Morden, Rose MacDonald, Ron Verstraten and Bill Patton (chairman).” caption_location=”outside-image”][/vc_column][/vc_row]