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2016 Aurora WinterFest

It took three weeks to celebrate Churchill’s premier event of the year - the 2016 Aurora WinterFest (AWF).
2016 aurora winterfest churchill

 

It took three weeks to celebrate Churchill’s premier event of the year - the 2016 Aurora WinterFest (AWF). There was something for everyone and in spite of some cold weather the community and visitors came out to enjoy the celebration of our culture and history. This was all made possible by the hard work of over 100 volunteers and the generous financial and in-kind support of the agencies, businesses and contractors from Churchill or connected to Churchill.

A beautiful “Sleeping Fox” snow carving, created by David MacNair and Barry Bohman, graced the front of the Town Centre Complex. Under David and Barry’s guidance Duke of Marlborough students’ talent came through as they transformed the snow blocks on the ball diamond into a field of creative carvings

The youth kicked off the AWF events early this year with the introduction of the YDI Tourneys. Congratulations to the winners: pool- Scott Stewardson, Travis Beardy and Jordan Flett; and air hockey - Nelson Spence, C.J. McCullough and Dallas Leger. This was followed by the Duke of Marlborough student council teen kickoff dance.

Excitement was high as families and all the 12-and-under children rushed through the gym doors to enjoy the Kids’ Karnival. Churchill CJGC Guides and Scouts ad other volunteers operated the games. The children raced around enjoying the bouncy castle, a variety of games, face painting and cotton candy. After the little ones collected their prizes, Mr. Circus, Churchill’s own Isaac Girardin, engaged the youngsters with his show followed by a juggling workshop.

Competition was tough as the participants fought for the championship of the second Churchill ping pong tourney. Congratulations to winner Kyle Buchanan. The event donated $125 to the Duke of Marlborough sports fund.

Not new to the challenges of trapping nor the AWF competition, this year Ben Oman stepped into a different role as event co-ordinator for the King and Queen Trapper and the Junior King and Queen events along with helpers Ernie Spence, Roy McPherson, Priscilla Oman and the school. Seven hardy adults not only faced the challenge of the outdoor events but survived the inclement weather. Events included log-splitting, canoe run, log toss and other events that would be useful on the trap line, all the skills needed in the bush. Congratulations to the 2016 King Trapper Dixon Hunter and Queen Val Oman.

Not to be outdone by the adults, 20 students competed in the Junior King and Queen Trapper events of archery, sawing logs, nail pounding and setting traps, etc. Congratulations to Junior Queen Trapper Nikita McIvor and Junior King Trapper Aiden Power

The Kelsey Snow Bowl was the site of the one mutt, one sleigh, one young musher dog sled race and and snowshoe race. Some mutts did require the encouragement of very experienced handlers to complete the course. The hardy entered the snowshoe race along the same track – it is not that easy to run in snowshoes but fun to try and entertaining to watch.

Congratulations to mushers 5-9 years: 1st - Aurora McDonald, 2nd Randy Oman, 3rd Mason Oman, 4th Adam McDonald; 10-14 years: 1st Waneek Whitmore, 2nd Jada Oman; snowshoe racers: 7-10 years 1st Randy Oman, 2nd Jada Oman, 3rd Aurora McDonald and 4th Adam McDonald; 11-14 years 1st Waneek Whitmore.

 New this year was the dog pull - 1st place Ace pulled 400 pounds (owner Brandi Spence), 2nd place Blaze pulled 300 pounds (owner Sharice Sinclair), 3rd place Lucy pulled 300 pounds (owners Ben and Val Oman).

Sprite, Cola and Pepsi were lost - the children did not hesitate to come to their rescue. Every day they were out with shovels searching for the ever evasive “snow pups.” After days of searching

Simone Turcotte, Aurora McDonald, Daelyn Fefchak were the rescuers, and, of course, winners of the hunt.

Did you see films made “in our back yard?” The fourth-annual AWF film fest featured World of Discovery, Snow Walker, Journey Home, Polar Bears of Churchill and Polar Bears - Summer Odyssey.

Churchill’s got talent – everyone who came out Friday night can attest to that! Churchillians of all ages took to the stage at the ever popular Northern Lights Talent show – as always the Fiddlestix, Northern Lights Choir, and this year the Duke of Marlborough Cheerios did a great job as the opening act.

The Aboriginal School of Dance presented workshops with a message to all the Duke of Marlborough students. Thursday evening they presented Wabung, followed by the community potluck supper prepared by Churchill’s top chefs - a feast fit for royalty – great food and even greater company, at the fifth Spirit of the North Winds Community Pot Luck Feast.

Temperatures at 9:30 a.m. were -35 C but that did not deter the hardy souls who went to Prince of Wales Fort. This was the second year we introduced tracked vehicles (thank you Mike Spence from Watchee Lodge) to provide access for those folks in the community that might not be interested in, or capable of, walking to the fort. One hiccup was the conflict with a snowmobile demonstration. We had approximately 40 people.

Once again, the high-flying  Boys of Winter came back to Churchill for the second-annual Live Ammo snowmobile freestyle event which was part of the Aurora WinterFest. Athletes from all over Manitoba and Saskatchewan participated in the event: Eric Lemay from Saskatchewan, Cody Ewasko from Winnipeg, Dave Kelly, Rob McIvor, Lucas Bennett and Matt Deleronde from Thompson, and Remi Allen, David De Meulles, and Cole Hart from Churchill. Cody Ewasko is new talent  and this was his first time in Churchill.  Unfortunately, other athletes Mike Poirier and Jordan Gledhill had to miss the event due to injury. All of the athletes jumped the 62-foot gap off two different ramps doing various tricks such as Superman seat grabs, no handers, whips and Cordovas.  

The show began with a moment of silence for Live Ammo founder Mike McIvor. Dennis Foley stated, “If it wasn’t for Mike, the riders may have never met each other. In life and in death, he seems to be the bond that keeps everyone together”. 

One highlight of the event was when Cole Hart launched his sled off the specialty 10-foot-tall super kicker ramp which sent him more than 30 feet up in the air. He was also selected by the spectators to receive the first ever “Mike McIvor Best Performance Award.” Churchill Home Hardware will have a plaque displayed with names that will be added each year.

After Dark Xtreme added fantastic music to the event and Dennis Foley, from Heavy D Productions, was on the microphone keeping the momentum going during the show and giving away free Merchandise. All the riders kept the crowd entertained for hours and they remained after the event to sign autographs and take photos with the fans. Spectators also had the opportunity to purchase food and merchandise at the Tundra Buggy that was located at the event.

Churchill couldn’t have asked for better weather with clear skies and mild winter temperatures for the freestyle event.All of the participants would like to thank the Aurora WinterFest committee, local business support, and all the volunteers that made the Aurora WinterFest an amazing experience. When asked, all the riders said they are looking forward to coming back to perform and plan to bring friends, more tricks and a bigger show. Live Ammo freestyle is a Manitoba-based motorsports group. Members have participated in numerous national events such as Haydays (the world’s biggest snowmobile expedition).

Another first - the Royal Canadian Legion sponsored the AWF social - Mike from ADX kept the dancing the night away - a good time was had by all who attended.

What is Otapanask Atimwak Pimipamtawak? (sled dogs running) – it is the local sled dog team race. The audience cheered on the teams at the Kelsey Snow Bowl start line on the first day of the two-day race. Congratulations to 1st Dan DiMuzio, 2nd Justin Allen and 3rd Dave Lundie.

Another new event was the three-dog sled race. Congratulations to 1st Aurora McDonald, 2nd Vadah McPherson and 3rd Barron Lundie

Sunday night the place to be was at the Kelsey Snow Bowl . As darkness fell a spectacular display of fireworks by Archangel Fireworks lit up the sky to mark the official end of the 2016 festival.

The 18th-annual Aurora WinterFest lived up to its billing as Churchill’s premier festival. Scores of participants and hundreds of spectators were able to enjoy the festival events thanks to the generous support of all the sponsoring agencies, organizations, businesses, and a record number of Churchill volunteers – over 100 – once again over 10 per cent of the total population of Churchill.

A sincere thank you to our generous sponsors: Canadian Heritage, Town of Churchill Community Mitigation Fund, Calm Air, Great White Bear, Manitoba Culture,Heritage and Tourism, MLCC, Town of Churchill, Arctic Trading Company, Churchill Arts Council, Churchill Chamber of Commerce, Frontiers North, Gardewine, Polar Inn, Sea North Tours, Sturgeon Construction, Travel Manitoba, Aurora Inn, Baldwin Feed, Churchill Ladies Club, Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill Wild, Exchange Petroleum, Iceberg Inn, Manitoba Hydro, Odd Job John, Tamarack Rentals, Tundra Inn, Bazliks Jewelers, Northern Store, C Home Building Centre, Park West, Churchill P/S Library, Parks Canada, Churchill Taxi, Polar Cinema, Gypsy’s Bakery , Seaport, Merv’s Excavating, T&T Gas Station, Myrtle’s Caribou Hair Sculptures, North Star Tours and Watchee Lodge.

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