Another fun-filled Frosty Days Festival took place in Manitouwadge last weekend, with some traditional activities, along with some refreshing additions.
The festival kicked off on Friday night at the Kiwissa ski hill, with a hearty welcome from Mayor Jim Moffat, followed by the announcement of the recipient of Manitouwadge’s Citizen of the Year award. This year’s winner is Elizabeth Bierworth. She has lived in Manitouwadge since 2013, and has been active in the community, serving on local boards and organizing events and clubs since her arrival. She was the head librarian from 2016 until just recently, when she took on her new role as co-pastor at the Pentecostal church.
After the official opening, an evening of hot dogs, skiing and tobogganing commenced. The ski hill remained open throughout the weekend, featuring free equipment rentals and discounted lift tickets.
Also on Friday night, the Manitouwadge Golden Age centre hosted a chili dinner and trivia night.
Saturday morning came bright and early for folks at the Bethany Pentecostal Chapel, where they served up a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast. A hot dog lunch was served up at the Golden Age centre, where kids of all ages created fun figures out of mini-marshmallows. Later in the day, the winners of the annual snow sculpture contest were announced, the figures varying in size and shape; from icy space ships and snowy bas relief carvings to colourful caterpillars and ‘Blob Monsters.’
Sunday’s weather turned snowy; perfect conditions for sliding down Kiwissa ski hill in the annual cardboard box race. The dozen or so racers had to be constructed solely out of cardboard, tape, string and paint, and ranged from simple flat platforms to elaborate cars, pontoon boats, cobs of corn, and even a ramen soup bowl. Prizes were handed out for the most creative and the fastest boxes in both junior and senior categories.
Taking place all day was the Manitouwadge Outdoor Enthusiast’s annual ice fishing derby. Over 100 folks braved the snowy, slushy conditions out on Lake Manitouwadge where they drilled holes into the ice, dropped their lines and hoped for the best. It wasn’t all about fish, though. Families and friends brought food, drinks and music out onto the ice for all to enjoy, and snowmobiles darted back and forth, making the day exciting and enjoyable for all. Trophies for the largest fish caught in different categories were awarded at the end of the event.
The day ended with a family dance at the rec centre, where kids played, posed in the photo booth and enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate. There was a table set up by the Manitouwadge Public Library for their colouring contest.
The fun continued on Family Day with more skiing on the hill, and a family skate at the arena.
A big thank you goes out to the organizers, the volunteers, Manroc, Barrick/Hemlo, CG Wealth Management, Michelle and Gordon Bell, and all the sponsors of this and other weekly events in our municipality. The Township of Manitouwadge is looking forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Frosty Days Festival!
