Winter Festival 2011 to grow to three day event

Posted by John Borst 
on Jan 18, 2011
 

https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000000986/Stories/44653fab-764a-4702-bb27-1eb21ddc5eb9.gifThe January 5th luncheon speaker Allysa Pronger Dryden’s Event Planner supported by Tyler Peacock, the DTMS marketing manager and Rtn Andi Kidd described the plans for Winter Festival 2011 scheduled for the 3 day Family Day weekend of Feb. 19 – 21st.

Using a PowerPoint presentation they provided a brief history of the festival now in its second year. The event is funded by the City of Dryden and private sponsors in order to offer “free” recreational activities to citizens during Family Day weekend.

The Festival begins with two events: 


(1) the Ice Dogs game on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. against Duluth Clydesdale. It is the last home game of the season and there will be a chance for attendees sporting winter festival toques to win $1,000.  

(2) the Easter Seals Snowarama Poker Derby at Eagles Landing from11am to 5:00 p.m. This is its 31st   running of this annual $10,000 Easter Seals fundraiser.

Again this year the majority of events will be held at Van Horne Landing. New this year will be  the construction of an ice rink oval and a very large sliding hill.  Its construction is already underway with assistance of Public Works Department. The Fire Department will again supply for bonfires and warming stations. Partners are being sought for hot chocolate sales. Both Kinsmen and Trillium Lions are again committed for this year.

Skijoring was discussed. Skijoring is a harness attached to a person on cross country skis who is attached to a large dog who then ski/run for faster/farther distances. Local clubs along with others from Kenora and Red Lake have been invited to showcase this sport in the area.

The Pimp your Ice Shanties competition is back along with Family Fish Derby, Kite Skiing with Woody and more.

To assist with the cost a major fundraiser this year is the sale of 1,000 toques at $10 each.  Major sponsors DMTS and Neighbourhood Legacy are covering costs of the toques.

It is a great deal as 800 include an Ice Dog hockey ticket and 200 include a DARE Dance ticket valued at $12 for 19th of  Feb. All proceeds (anticipated at $9,000) will go to Neighbourhood Legacy to purchase a Portable Board system to be used at tennis courts in summer and an ice rink in winter to be located at Rotary Park. 

Rotary was invited to come up with an event to tie into Winter Festival or participate in some way.
 
The CKDR video below is of the 2010 event.