ORILLIA - Orillia’s long-running winter carnival is undergoing a makeover.
“It’s a whole new layout this year,” said carnival president Chad Cooke. “Everything is being totally rearranged.”
The Feb. 12 to 14 carnival will feature favourite attractions and activities from past years with an updated format that organizers say will benefit visitors and volunteers alike.
“Everything is being totally rearranged,” Cooke added. “It will make it a little more user friendly for everyone coming to the carnival, and more user friendly for us setting it up and tearing it down.”
One of the most dramatic changes involves the perennially popular Shivers’ Ice Castle, which is being relocated from its long-time home at the Port of Orillia to the park near the boat launch.
“It is going to be something to see,” Cooke said. “It is much larger than it has ever been in the past. Hopefully it will have a courtyard in the centre.”
Planned events include a ball hockey tournament, dances for adults and teens, a winter Olympics, a chili cook-off, and a pancake breakfast.
A midway, petting zoo, OPP kiddies’ fishing pond and dog-sled rides are also planned, as is a toboggan run, a new addition.
Capping off the weekend on the Sunday is the traditional polar bear dip.
“There seems to be a real fascination, and not just for the folks who take to the icy waters of Lake Couchiching in the dead of winter,” said Cooke. “The public really seems to enjoy watching the startled and shocked expressions on the dippers’ faces.”
Pledge money is distributed to local community causes.
“It really gives us a great opportunity to profile local groups whose work makes Orillia a better place to live,” Cooke added.
Carnival organizers are again putting out a call for volunteers to assist with set up and other jobs, including selling buttons that are used to help fund the event.
“It is always nice to have 50 to 100 (volunteers), but we will take what we can get,” Cooke said. “A lot of them don’t sign up months in advance, they contact us the week of.”
To volunteer, go online to orilliawintercarnival.ca.
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Orillia Winter Carnival president Chad Cooke says the Feb. 12 to 14 event will sport a new look while featuring many favourite events and activities.
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