CHAMPLAIN – The Champlain Winter Carnival takes place from February 1 through February 4.
Champlain Township residents should note that Wednesday, January 31 is the deadline for the colouring and snow sculpture contest.
Pictures can be picked up now at the Champlain Township town hall at 948 Pleasant Corner Rd, Vankleek Hill, at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre at 36 Mill Street or at the township Building Office at 925 Highway 17, L’Orignal.
There are two age categories: 0 – 6 yrs old & 7 to 12 yrs old, and there will be one winner per category.
Winners will be contacted on Friday, February 2 by telephone.
Pictures which have been coloured must be received at any of the locations mentioned above by January 31, 2018.
Make your most outrageous snow sculpture at home and you can win a prize!
The Winter Carnival committee will be touring the township to select the best snow sculptures and winners will be contacted on February 2, 2018 by telephone!
You must first register so that the committee knows that you are participating and make sure that your sculpture is ready by January 31, 2018!
Register at [email protected] leaving your name and address and phone number. A confirmation email will be sent to you.
On Thursday and Friday, February 1 and 2, students from local schools are invited to skate and slide at Mill Street Park. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be provided by Champlain Minor Sports Association.
On Friday, February 2, it’s pro-wrestling night at Vankleek Hill Collegiate, located at 5814 Highway 34. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the carnival kicks off officially at 6:30 p.m. with Champlain Mayor Gary Barton, who will no doubt get out of the ring in time for the wrestlers to take over at 7 p.m. with the Carnage professional wrestling match. Admission is free to this event, which ends at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, February 3, there is free cross-country skiing all day thanks to Ski-Vent-Clic. Parking is available at the recreational trail on Highway 34 or at St. Jude Catholic School at 5355 Highway 34. All day, there will be outdoor activities at 36 Mill Street: inflatable games, outdoor skating and sliding and a campfire (marshmallows and hot chocolate).
Saturday is also the day for the Loud and Dirty Lumberjack Activities at 36 Mill Street. Activities include the single-log-cut competition, the double-log-cut competition, the block-chop competition, the water-boil competition and the snowshoe race.
From 1 to 3 p.m., the outdoor ice bar will be open at 36 Mill Street. Also from 1 to 3 p.m., Ouimet Farms Adventure will offer hay rides; a circuit will pass by the community centre and Arbor Gallery. Pick-up and drop-off is at 36 Mill Street.
At 7:30 p.m., the Lumberjack Ball takes place at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre (you are invited to dress up as a lumberjack). At 9 p.m., live music by the Neil Emberg band will begin.
On Sunday, February 4, the eighth annual Vintage Vankleek Hill Snowmobile Ride takes place at 92 Main Street West in Vankleek Hill (the Vankleek Hill fairgrounds). From 8 to 10 a.m., breakfast will be served at the fairgrounds (there is a $10 cost for the breakfast). From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the snowmobile run will take place.
Meanwhile, at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre, The Review Scavenger Hunt for kids up to age 14 takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. (this event takes place outdoors). A registration table will be set up in the parking lot and every child who participates will receive a prize (while quantities last).
At 3 p.m., the Wever Financial Disco Skate takes place, continuing until 5 p.m.
In L’Orignal on Saturday, February 3, the outdoor rink will be open at École St-Jean-Baptiste. At 10 a.m., there will be a hockey game (Atom C vs. Parents).
At 11 a.m, outdoor activities will include bed races, tug-of-war, sliding, skating, inflatables games, a treasure hunt, hot dogs and hot chocolate and special visits from Bonhomme Carnival and Spark!
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a hockey tournament, followed by a barrel-jumping competition from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On Sunday, February 4 at the Chalet Abri at 720 Front Road, the Knights of Columbus will be serving up a pancake breakfast. There is an admission cost for adults, but children 12 years and under can dine for free.
