Pond hockey winners: Valley Contracting won the Kyla Simmons Memorial Trophy at Sparky’s Winter Carnival. Team members are, back row from left, Alan Griffiths, Brent McLaughlin, Fred Thiebou and Hugh Martin. Front row from left: Roger Martin, Bryan Martin, Angie Burgess and Kyle Martin. Photo submitted
By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
BEACHBURG — Mother Nature co-operated and many children’s games were played outside during the Sparky’s Winter Carnival held in Beachburg on Saturday.
Ashley Griffiths, organizer of the children’s games, said the afternoon started off with magician Steve Anthony entertaining young and old as he walked throughout the warm room and lobby of the Beachburg Arena. While he was performing his magic, children also had an opportunity to decorate cupcakes, play winter bingo or visit with Spiderman and Batman.
Outdoor games included target hockey, tug of war, a winter obstacle course, snowman building and a treasure hunt. In the snowman building competition, there were so many good ones, all the children received a prize, she said.
“The kids had a blast,” Ms. Griffiths said.
The children’s games have been building each year and more children are participating, she said. There were around 35 children this year, compared to the less than 10 last year.
She noted there would be more games if more volunteers were there to help her.
“I need help,” Ms. Griffiths said. “There’s just me. I have ideas for more fun things for the kids, but not enough help.”
Huey Martin, organizer of the pond hockey tournament, noted there weren’t many teams this year. Usually there’s about eight to 10 teams – this year there were four. Kyla’s Crew defeated Fellowes 25-24 to claim the championship.
He noted that while Mother Nature provided great weather, the outdoor hockey rink was too slushy to be used. So, the Beachburg Arena ice surface was split and two, and that’s where the pond hockey was played.
The evening ended with a hockey game between Beachburg volunteer firefighters and North-Algona-Wilberforce volunteer firefighters. Beachburg won with a score of 7-4.
Mr. Martin noted there were 120 pancake breakfasts sold at the Lions Hall in the morning and 120 carnival buttons purchased.
Angeline Butterworth of Beachburg won the 32-inch RCA flat screen television donated by Dunbar Home Inspections. Marilyn Somerville won the $100 prize and donated it back to the carnival and Phyllis Maves won the $25 gift certificate from the Beachburg Bullpen Canteen. The basket draw hosted by the Beachburg Bullpen Canteen netted $73 and JB won it.
Mr. Martin noted while the carnival is a fundraiser for the fire department, it also provides a fun day part-way through winter. The money raised goes towards covering costs for the event and then towards the fire department.
The event will again be held next year, the third weekend in January.
