Carp Winter Carnival buttons on sale now

CARP – Last Saturday (Feb. 19) was the first day I (Love) Carp buttons were available to the public, your official entry in to the highly anticipated re-return of the Carp Winter Carnival.

Four Huntley Community Association (HCA) volunteers including President Judy Makin set up shop at the Huntley Community Centre Saturday afternoon to kick-off the sale of carnival buttons and to put the HCA’s new portable electronic payment system to use.

While the carnival and all its planned activities (see below) are free for kids, adults will need these buttons, a fun keepsake, to gain entry.

“We’re thrilled to bring the carnival back,” Makin told West Carleton Online Saturday. “It’s why all of us volunteer for the HCA. So, we can offer events for the residents, recreation, fun, getting to see each other. It’s been a long two years. We’re just thrilled to be offering the opportunity again.”

The HCA postponed its original date by a week, to be able to offer a more inclusive event as provincial COVID-19 regulations lift, and now the team is all set for the two-day carnival which kicks off Friday (Feb. 25) evening.

“In January we were uncertain what the capacities and the restrictions would be,” Makin said.

Planning an event of this magnitude takes time, and with constantly changing regulations, it also takes flexibility. So, this weekend, the carnival will not have indoor events, but the HCA is hoping to host some in the near future.

“We do have a couple of ideas,” Makin said. “We will have a card night, board games, whatever, at the Carp Mess Hall. And we have another idea to have entertainment, music, singing, at the mess hall. So, those two events will still go ahead I think, but we don’t have a firm date yet, so we are encouraging people to hang on to their buttons for reduced admissions. We’re hoping people will wear these buttons all year long.”

While sales were brisk on Saturday, those who didn’t get their button yet, have several options to pick up their button this week as the carnival approaches.

Buttons are being sold for $10 each and are available at Eldon’s Pantry, Ridge Rock Brewing Company, and Vannes Nail Bar all in Carp. Buttons will also be for sale outside the Huntley Community Centre during the winter carnival.

Carp Winter Carnival schedule

Friday evening, Feb. 25

• Family skate at the outdoor rink – 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Canteen open for hot chocolate and candy purchases – 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 26:

• Hot breakfast (bacon on a bun plus coffee/milk/juice – $7) at the Huntley Community Centre – 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Hockey games to watch at the outdoor rink courtesy the West Carleton Outdoor Hockey League – 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Maple taffy near the outdoor rink – 10 a.m. until ‘sold out’
• Sleigh rides around the Huntley Community Centre and the Carp Fairgrounds – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Children’s games at the outdoor rink – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Outdoor bonfire near the rink – all day
• Canteen open for drink and snack purchases – all day
• Take-out spaghetti dinner with garlic bread ($10 per plate – see below for ordering info) – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

All weekend:

• Ski, snowshoe or hike to enjoy the Carp Riverwalk Trail
• An outdoor bonfire at the community centre
• Add a section to the Snow Worm in the Carp Riverwalk field and post photos to the HCA Facebook page