Today is the start of two weeks of winter activities for Le Centre Culturel La Ronde’s Winter Carnival.

There is lots happening in Timmins at locations like the Timmins Public Library, the Timmins Museum and Full Beard Brewing.

Downtown Timmins will turn into a Bonhomme Winter wonderland  as 17 businesses take part in a window-display competition featuring the Carnival mascot.

Throughout the two weeks of the Carnival, Bonhomme will take part in several activities like Zumba and Yoga, plus he’ll make an appearance at lots of other events.

Students at the French Catholic and Public School Boards will join French Immersion students in the English School Boards for an ice sculpture competition.

There will also be a paint and sip event with a winter theme, a Samajam children’s performance and a comedy night featuring headliner comedian Jean-Michel Antcil. Other activities are taking place at NEO Laser Tag, Midtown Bowl, Porcupine Ski Runners and Kamiskotia Ski Resort.

All activities have a small cost, but members of Le Centre Culturel La Ronde will get a $2-5 discount at most events.

Among the activities scheduled is a ball hockey tournament from Feb. 15th to 16th at Full Beard Brewing. Organizers are looking for two more teams to take part. The two-day event will end with a concert by Dayv Poulin and Toe Jam Tequila on February 16th. It’s $20 to play and the entry fee includes a concert ticket. Anyone interested in taking part in the ball hockey tournament is asked to call Eric Paquette at 705-363-8902.

The Carnival will wrap up with a Good Old Days Evening at Cedar Meadows on February 23rd. There will be dinner, music and the unveiling of who is behind the Carnival Bonhomme.

The Carnival has been an annual tradition in Timmins for years.

“There’s always been a carnival,” said Lisa Bertrand, Executive Director of Centrel Culturel la Ronde, “but it hasn’t had so many activities. And I definitely think, for the French community, it’s just important. It’s about our culture. […] We need to show that we are here in the community.”

Bertrand says it’s important to share the French culture with future generations.

“Back in the day, our parents used to transmit our tradition from generation to generation,” she said, “and now it’s our turn. I have a child and all my friends now, we are getting older. So, you know, we want to do that to our children and to show them what our parents lived.”

The activities planned only hint at the fun that will be had in the next two weeks at Winter Carnival events.

“The French community, we know how to have fun,” said Bertrand, “We know how to put on good activities and we just want to continue that into the community.”

You can visit Le Centre Culturel La Ronde website for the full schedule of events.

You can visit their Facebook page here. 

Events run from February 11th to the 23rd.

 

 

Filed under: Local News