Tignish brings back the ‘air bands’
Tignish Winter Carnival expected to be a hit at this year’s event which kicks off later this month
Recreation Director
Tina Richard says she already knows what the highlight of Tignish’s 33rd annual Silver Fox Winter Carnival will be. “Adult air bands, for sure.”
TIGNISH — Recreation Director Tina Richard says she already knows what the highlight of Tignish’s 33rd annual Silver Fox Winter Carnival will be. “Adult air bands, for sure.” “’Adult air bands’ was big years ago,” the winter carnival co-ordinator and first-year rec director said.
Sure, there will be youth air bands competitions during the carnival, too, but Richard said the hype is squarely on the adult version. Many area residents still fondly recall some of the acts from years past. “It’s getting everyone excited.” When pressed for her own recollection, Richard admits a performance of “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” comes to mind.
Past adult air band performances were closely guarded secret until the performers took the stage, and this year is no different.
“I am not allowed to say,” she responded when asked to name some of the performers, or their acts, already confirmed for the Friday, Feb. 22, show. Performers range in age from 21 to approximately 65.
Kids air bands will be at the parish centre at 6 p.m. and the adult competition, for ages 19 and up, starts at 8 p.m. Pre-registration is required for both competitions.
“I think she’s going to be sold out the moment the doors open,” Richard commented.
Joanne Perry is thrilled the air bands are coming back. She recalls the event debut in 1988 as a special winter carnival activity to draw the people in. The competition was held upstairs in the old rink for the first three years and then shifted to the Parish Centre, a larger venue for holding the growing crowds.
“Everybody had to come and see,” she said.
Air Bands might be the most anticipated, but it won’t be the only event. The Find the Fox competition is back for another year. It’s a small wooden fox that Richard will place somewhere in town by Sunday morning, Feb. 17, the first day of the winter carnival. Then, starting Feb. 18, she will disclose one clue per day until someone finds the treasure. Guesses to the fox’s secret hiding spot can be submitted at Shirley’s Café or at the rec office.
The winter carnival gets going on Feb. 17 with the annual Don Gaudet Memorial ATV and snowmobile run. Registration will be held at the legion from 12 to 1 p.m. A lunch will be served there at the conclusion of the poker run which is in aid of the Kidney Foundation.
Monday, Feb. 18, is Islander Day, but for the Tignish Winter Carnival it’s also Jersey Day. Several events are scheduled. There is a different theme every day, Tuesday is Crazy Hair Day. Then it’s School Colours, the 80s, PJ Day and Saturday, Feb. 23, is Super Hero/Disney Day.
Some of the special events are Tignish Figure Skating element event, Girls Try Hockey and twosome bowling on Monday, Chiard contest on Wednesday, Teddy Bear story time at the library, live afternoon entertainment at the legion and evening movie at the town hall on Saturday.
The Sunday, Feb. 24, schedule includes a character breakfast at the parish centre, afternoon fun in the park and a family skate and best-dressed snowman contest.
Area residents can also participate in the 33rd annual winter carnival right in their own yards by building snow sculptures. The snow sculpture judging will be taking place on Feb. 23.