30/01: Wiarton Willie Festival
Category: General
Posted by: The Agnew Family
Well it's almost time for the groundhogs in Canada and the northern US to predict how much longer winter is going to last. One of those groundhogs, Willie, lives in Wiarton about an hour north of us. In preparation for prediction day the town of Wiarton is hosting festivities this weekend. As it's the first time since we've lived in Walkerton that we have been home for the event Ed and I decided to drive up and see what it was all about.
A view of Georgian Bay, some snow, a little ice and lots of open water.
Every event needs a parade, right? This festival was no exception.
We were a little surprised to see our neighbour (she's driving the car) in the parade. I had forgotten that she owns the local beauty pagents (that's probably not the correct term any more) and takes the girls to events all over the region.
The parade included people handing out candy (a favourite of the kids), a firetruck, the royal bank tiger, a juggler and of course Wiarton Willie.
After checking out the craft show and eating a bowl of chili at the Masonic Lodge we walked to the park to check out the festivities. There were two huge blow up igloos, one with entertainment and the other with crafts for kids.
There was chain saw carving, ice carving,
a trebuchet that kids at the local school built and were demonstrating,
fire dancers, the juggler from the parade,
sleigh rides,
and Zoo Guts. Kids were given a card with the picture of a organ (i.e. stomach), then they went into a structure and found the organ, then they took the organ to the appropriate animal and put the organ in place. I'm standing in front of the polar bear. The photo on the right is one of the ice sculptures that was created with a chainsaw.
Ed's favourtie part of the day was playing with Duke and Daisy, 5 month old Pyrenees puppies. When they are full grown they will weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Pyreneese are used as livestock guardian dogs. These two will destined to guard chickens where relatives of then guard sheep.
Good-bye Willie. Hello snowman. Dustin (our neighbour's grandson) must have been busy today.
A view of Georgian Bay, some snow, a little ice and lots of open water.
Every event needs a parade, right? This festival was no exception.
We were a little surprised to see our neighbour (she's driving the car) in the parade. I had forgotten that she owns the local beauty pagents (that's probably not the correct term any more) and takes the girls to events all over the region.
The parade included people handing out candy (a favourite of the kids), a firetruck, the royal bank tiger, a juggler and of course Wiarton Willie.
After checking out the craft show and eating a bowl of chili at the Masonic Lodge we walked to the park to check out the festivities. There were two huge blow up igloos, one with entertainment and the other with crafts for kids.
There was chain saw carving, ice carving,
a trebuchet that kids at the local school built and were demonstrating,
fire dancers, the juggler from the parade,
sleigh rides,
and Zoo Guts. Kids were given a card with the picture of a organ (i.e. stomach), then they went into a structure and found the organ, then they took the organ to the appropriate animal and put the organ in place. I'm standing in front of the polar bear. The photo on the right is one of the ice sculptures that was created with a chainsaw.
Ed's favourtie part of the day was playing with Duke and Daisy, 5 month old Pyrenees puppies. When they are full grown they will weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Pyreneese are used as livestock guardian dogs. These two will destined to guard chickens where relatives of then guard sheep.
Good-bye Willie. Hello snowman. Dustin (our neighbour's grandson) must have been busy today.