J.D. POTIÉ
SHAWVILLE Feb. 22, 2020
The parking lot at the Shawville Arena was completely filled on Saturday, as local families gathered to celebrated the town’s annual winter carnival.
According to one of the event’s . . .
organizers, Helena Hadley, the event was a collaboration of the Municipality of Shawville, The Parent’s Voice, Loisir Sport Outaouais and the Royal Bank of Canada.
“We have a lot of help,” she said. “So, it’s awesome.”
With all food, drink and activities free of charge, the event was meant as an opportunity for kids to soak in their favourite winter activities before the season comes to an end.
“This is just a fun day for the kids,” she said.
The event featured a wide variety of outdoor activities for children, including a behemoth of a sliding hill just beside the arena, snow-painting and tractor rides that took attendees through the fairgrounds on the back of a sleigh.
Inside the arena, the rink was open for a couple hours of free skating. The Lions Hall upstairs was loud and vibrant with laughing children, as The Parent’s Voice hosted a puppet show put on by Jamie Rallison from “Monsters Under the Bed”.
RBC’s own mascot Leo the Lion was also on site, adding to the already exciting festivities.
Plus, a group of hard-working volunteers doled out hundreds of hot dogs, cotton candy sticks and bags of popcorn to keep everyone’s tummies filled up.
According to Hadley, the event is great for the community because it’s another chance for parents and their kids to spend the day together in a healthy manner.
“It’s a great family-fun day,” she said. “Families get together and have fun, enjoy the outdoor activities and get outside and be active.”
With so many people coming out to enjoy the activities on hand, Hadley was thrilled with the community’s response to the event.
“This is definitely a good turnout for sure,” she said. “I’m very happy with it.”
