Heather Latter
It will be a weekend filled with fun as the 31st-annual Nestor Falls winter carnival is set to roll this weekend (March 1-3) based out of the community hall.
“It’s all starting to come together,” enthused Wayne Helliar, acting chair of the Nestor Falls recreation committee which hosts the event each year.
This year’s carnival will feature many of the old favourites, such as the fishing derby, kids’ games, and cribbage tournament.
The activities get underway Friday with an evening full of entertainment by the Adam T. Elvis Show with The Good Rockin’ Tonite Band.
“They were here four years ago and they put on a great show,” recalled committee member Howard Dodd.
“The community hall was packed.”
Dodd added the committee had received some requests to bring the band back—and this time the tickets are even cheaper ($15/person instead of $20).
They are on sale at Dalseg’s Fine Foods.
“It’s a really great show. It was so much fun the last time he was here,” agreed Helliar, noting the show highlights many of Elvis’ songs complete with costumes.
“We’re sure hoping we’re going to fill the hall again,” said Dodd.
Saturday’s activities kick off at 7 a.m. with the annual fishing derby.
The entry fee is $10/person, with tickets on sale at the Angler’s Pro Shop and Nestor Falls Bait and Tackle, as well as at the community hall that day.
The fish derby participants’ prize draw is a Humminbird Ice Flasher (a fish finder) 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/person, while the judging of the photo contest will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
“Anybody wishing to put a photo in can do so,” noted Dodd, though adding they must be submitted to Helliar at whelliar@yahoo.com by today (Feb. 27).
There is no fee to submit a photo, but only one photo can be entered per person.
“It can be any photo that the person wants to enter,” Dodd explained. “We’ve had a lot of winter scenes in the past, pictures of animals.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be winter-themed,” he stressed.
The photos will be displayed at the community hall on Saturday and people can vote for their favourite photo by throwing in some loose change.
“At the end of the contest, whoever has the highest amount, the winner takes all,” Dodd remarked.
The canteen will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. while a cash bar will open at 11 a.m. (age of majority will be enforced).
Also getting underway at 11 a.m. will be the cribbage tournament, with an entry fee of $10 per team, and free games for children at the Nestor Falls Curling Club.
“And this year, we will have free sleigh rides, as well,” said Dodd, noting the plan is to have the sleighs pulled by horses owned by Phil and Cindy Haggberg.
“That is pretty exciting and should be a lot of fun,” Helliar enthused.
All the event awards and attendance prize draws will be given out starting at 5 p.m.
As usual, everyone who participated in an event where there was an entry fee will be entered to win the “All-Participants Draw,” with this year’s big prize being a $500 Visa gift card.
This prize, along with the 50/50 prize, will be given away at the pancake breakfast Sunday morning.
Saturday’s events will be capped 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 Sunday will be an “all-you-can-eat” pancake and sausage breakfast, running from 9 a.m.-noon at the community hall.
There will be safe rides available home Friday and Saturday night by North Air Services.
“It’s usually pretty good weather this time of year and we hope to see a lot of people out,” Helliar remarked.
He noted with some changes to the committee this year, he’s hoping they also see a lot of volunteers willing to help out to make the event a success.
“We’re always needing more volunteers for just about anything,” he said.
“And new members on the committee are also welcome.”
Dodd also indicated they “just couldn’t do what we do if it wasn’t for the businesses.”
