Peggy Revell
It will be a weekend filled with fun as Nestor Falls’ annual winter carnival is set to roll again on the first weekend of March.
“We’re trying to get things ready to go,” enthused co-organizer Howard Dodd, who is looking forward to the annual event which runs from March 4-6 based out of the Nestor Falls Community Hall.
“It will be a very busy weekend.”
This year’s carnival will be a mixture of old favourites and some new fun, including a winter photo contest and youth scavenger hunt.
“The one other thing that we’re doing a little bit different this year is we’re going to have a small area set up [and] we’re asking people that come to the winter carnival, to the hall, if they could help us support our local food cupboard by bringing non-perishable food items,” added Dodd, noting these items then will be donated to St. George’s Food Cupboard in Emo.
The annual celebration kicks off on Friday, March 4 with the judging of all the ice and snow sculptures.
Friday also will see the new “Youth Night Scavenger Hunt,” for those aged 13-18, starting at 5:30 p.m.
For more information about this event, contact Holly at 484-2772.
Meanwhile, an evening of entertainment and music is lined up for Friday evening, with the cash bar opening at 7 p.m. and Winnipeg band “Without a Trace” playing at 8 p.m. (age of majority required).
“This band is supposed to be an exceptional band,” lauded Dodd, explaining it is popular on the night club circuit in Winnipeg and can “pretty much do it all.”
“From the people I’ve talked to, this band in Winnipeg has a very good reputation and they’ve been at it for a number of years.”
Only 100 tickets, costing $20 each, are available for the show, Dodd noted, and only are available in advance from Dalseg’s Fine Foods and Gate’s Bait and Convenience, or rec committee chair Kylie Hanson at 276-4405.
“And then, of course, Saturday morning [March 5], we’ll kick things off bright and early with the 29th-annual Winter Carnival Fishing Derby,” said Dodd.
The entry fee is $10 per person, with tickets on sale at the Angler Pro Shop, Gate’s Bait and Convenience, and Mel’s Marine, as well as at the community hall that day.
The two major prizes for the derby are a Hummingbird Ice 45 Flasher (a fish finder), donated by the Angler Pro Shop, and a HT Pex-2 Portable Ice Shelter, donated by Helliar’s Resort.
But fishing isn’t the only activity scheduled for the Saturday. The annual poker derby will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with an entry fee of $5 per person (age of majority required).
Also running from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. is the annual scavenger hunt, also with a $5 entry fee per person.
And making a return for another year will be the cribbage tournament, which is set to start at 11:30.
The entry fee is $10 per team.
As well, free children’s activities will begin at 11:30 at the Nestor Falls curling rink.
Judging for the new winter photo contest will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the Saturday. With a cash prize of a yet-to-be-determined value up for grabs, those wanting to enter this competition are asked to e-mail their winter-themed photos to Hanson at kileyhanson@gmail.com before March 3.
All the event awards and attendance prize draws, along with spot prizes, will be given out starting at 5 p.m., Dodd noted.
As usual, everyone who participated in an event where there was an entry fee (including Friday night’s concert) will be entered to win the “All Participants Draw,” with this year’s big prize being an LG 42” plasma TV donated by Sight & Sound Audiotronic in Fort Frances.
Saturday evening will be capped off with a dance from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. featuring music provided by Fort Francs DJ “The Sound Man.”
There is a cover charge of $5, and age of majority is required.
Wrapping up this year’s carnival on the Sunday (March 6) will be an “all-you-can-eat” pancake and sausage breakfast, which is sponsored this year by the Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Fire Department.
Cost for the meal is $4 for adults and $2 for kids, with those 12 and under and seniors eating free.
As well, a 50/50 draw will be made sometime on the Sunday.
For more information about the winter carnival, contact Hanson at 276-4405 or via e-mail at kileyhanson@gmail.com
