Organizers were disappointed yesterday afternoon over the lack of registrations for some of the key events planned for kids and teens at “Daytime Land 2005,” which is being held in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship next week at the Sorting Gap Marina.
A sign-up day scheduled at the Chamber of Commerce office on Scott Street yesterday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. proved slow-going.
As a result, the skateboarding demonstrations, as well as 3-on-3 basketball and street hockey tournaments, are all up in the air unless there’s more interest.
“I was shocked,” said June Caul, who was on hand at the Chamber office.
Caul and fellow “Daytime Land” organizer Diane Maxey both sit on the FFCBC’s board of directors.
“Last year we had 90 kids sign up for the shoreline [paddleboat] fishing contest and this year so far we only have 20,” she noted.
(The paddleboat fishing contest is not to be confused with the Kid-Pro Tournament that goes this Sunday).
Meanwhile, Caul expected 10 teams of three players each, aged 14-18, to sign up for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. But so far, only five teams have shown interest.
Another 10 teams of four players each, aged 10-16, were expected for the street hockey tournament. Only two teams have signed up to date.
And no one had signed up for the skateboarding demo.
The registration deadline for these events has been extended over the next few days, but Caul stressed a continued lack of interest will mean cancellations of events that could have proved fun and interesting for kids looking for something different to do during the annual bass tournament.
“A Monday [July 18] deadline would be pushing it, so maybe by the end of this week [July 15],” said Caul.
“We really wanted to try to promote activities for older kids aged 14 and up,” she noted. “We wanted to make an effort for teens to have activities because they often get left out [of major events].
“They have until now,” she added.
Activities at “Daytime Land” for the smaller fry include minnow races, a giant sandbox, “Thomas the Tank” play table, the paddleboat fishing contest, face-painting, eating contests, and daily crafts.
Teen events will kick off Sunday (July 17) at 6 p.m. with “The Battle of the Teenage Bands.” All those practice sessions in your parents’ garage just might pay off.
“The winner of the [band contest] will get to open for the adult [version] of ‘Battle of the Bands,’” Caul revealed.
The adult “Battle of the Bands” is slated for next Tuesday (July 19) at 8 p.m. under the big tent.
A remote-controlled car contest also is slated for “Daytime Land” next Wednesday (July 20) at 11 a.m., with a rematch two days later on July 22 (also at 11 a.m.)
If it flies, the skateboarding demonstration will be held next Wednesday (July 20) at 1 p.m. Horse-and-buggy rides, courtesy of Lorne Caul of Crozier, are scheduled July 20, 21, and 23 at 3 p.m. each day.
The 3-on-3 basketball contest, if it goes ahead, is scheduled for next Wednesday (July 20), with the street hockey tournament for teens slated Friday, July 22.
A new face in entertainment is slated for “Daytime Land” on July 22-23 at 3 p.m. in Robin Chestnut, a professional juggler from Manitoba who performed at the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic here late last month.
He is a two-time Canadian juggling champion.
“I also sent letters to a bunch of young people in the district—singers, dancers, participants from the [Rainy River District] Music and Drama Festival, dance studios, and high school musicals,” noted Caul.
“We’d like them to come and perform in the ‘Concert of Stars’ on the [Labatt’s] Blue Cube on Saturday [July 23] in the afternoon,” she added.
“And Abitibi-Consolidated has been very supportive of us by donating a six-hole mini-putt golf course for [‘Daytime Land’],” Caul said.
She also sent information letters on “Daytime Land” to Fort Frances High School that encouraged students there to make suggestions about what events they’d like to see for teens at the FFCBC.
“I received over 100 suggestions back from students and when I went through all of the returned letters, I also found [a lot] of students had offered their services as volunteers,” Caul noted.
“It’s important to involve [teenagers] in a part of the planning,” she stressed.
“We are hoping that everything [we’ve planned for] is accepted by people, and that kids and teens will come out and have fun,” Caul concluded.
Kids and teens who still want to sign up for events can contact Caul at 274-2209 or sign up at the Chamber of Commerce office. A parent’s signature also is required for kids interested in participating in the paddleboat fishing contest.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to help out at “Daytime Land” can call the FFCBC at 274-0316 or e-mail volunteer director Kathy Tovey at volunteer@canadianbass.com
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
