Vote for YOUR favourite Inukshuk as city celebrations draw near
By Kyra Hoggan
Photo by Kyra Hoggan: Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff shows off his own eight-foot Inukshuk creation at the city’s Winterfest event, to inspire locals to create and submit their own Inukshuks to compete in the city’s Olympic torch celebrations.
Click here (or go to https://castlegarsource.com/image/tid/141 ) to cast your vote on which of the city’s seven Inukshuk entries is the best … it’s all on you, Castlegar.
Ranging in size from eight centimetres to more than eight feet, the seven entries are handmade by locals to express their pride in the community’s Olympic torch celebrations this year, to be held Jan. 24 at the Complex.
A lack of snow has seen some dramatic changes to event planning, according to councillor Kevin Chernoff, but he said he won’t allow warm temperatures to melt down a proud moment for the city and her residents.
The city’s toboggan party, for example, slated for Jan. 23 at Cone Hill Park, has been postponed until weather permits, likely the end of Februrary.
“It’ll still be amazing, though – we’ll build on last year’s, which was a very successful event, with the mayor’s fireworks, hot dogs and hot chocolate, prizes and contests,” Chernoff said. “This year, we were approached by a couple of sponosrs, which greatly reduces the cost to the city and even allows us to expand the event.”
Watch for more event information in upcoming issues of The Source.
In the meantime, some of the outdoor activities slated for “torch day” on Jan. 24 at the Complex will be moved indoors, with a free family swim (Complex staff are bringing out the popular “big toys”, while games, contests and prizes will be just as fun and feverish as could have been expected at the toboggan party) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Also look for the “taste of Castlegar” food fair, with samples of exotic cuisine to tickle the tastebuds, while a big screen will show the Station Youth Centre’s Rock Band competition.
“We’re still hoping there’ll be enough snow fo rhte snowman building contest,'” Chernoff added, “Worst-case scenario, we can still do snow-painting compeitions using food colouring and trigger sprayers …you don’t need much snow at all for that..”
Former Olympian and Castlegarian Felix Belcyk will be on hand offering autographs and an inspirational message for the audience.
There’ll be a free draw to win tickets to the Olympic Grand Slolem event, and, of course, the unveiling of the winning Inukshuk, according to Chernoff.
“It’s just going to be a really fun, really family-oriented event,” he said. “It’s not something you want to miss.”
For more information, call City Hall at 250-365-7227.
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