Armstrong Curling Club Beer Garden and Float in the IPE Parade

The Armstrong & District Curling Club was open for business over the 5 days of the Interior Provincial Exhibition, with the entire building in operation. The Kinsmen ran a successful beer garden in our rink area while the Legion provided great food out of our kitchen. Meanwhile, upstairs in our lounge, we welcomed guests and members from all over.

Over 700 guests signed our Armstrong Curling Guest Book,

plus many of our members so we estimate we accommodated between 1000 and 1100 people over the course of the fair. Our lounge offered a cooler and quieter escape from the fair, where many found time to recharge their batteries so they could enjoy the fair a bit longer. Many commented on the comfortable chairs and surroundings. Saturday night was our busiest night where we had to turn people away at our 10 pm closing time.

Thanks to our volunteer curlers

who made this such a success – on the bar: Dianne Mouncey, Kathy Saul Fowler, Steve Hansma, Darcy Hoffman, Jackie Pipe, Jackie Keesey, Leanne Kennedy and Dean Chapple; and at the door: Terri Nicholson, Bill Fowler, Jackie Keesey, Rhea McGill, Faye McGill, Al and Karen Mernett and Garry Deboer.

We also had a float in the IPE parade consisting of a decorated trailer pulled by a mini John Deere tractor driven by Dave Southern. Our theme this year was Canada 150 and our celebration of 120 years of curling in Armstrong. Many thanks to Dave and Bonnie Southern, Jackie Keesey, Terri Nicholson and Rhea McGill for constructing and decorating the float. Thanks to our riders Mryna and Matthew as well as two boys whose names I didn’t get. Jack Lothian walked beside the float with dog Sully. It was a great way to promote the club!

Call Terri at 250-546-2800 for information on any of our leagues and registration.

See you at the rink!

by Terri Nicholson