Welcoming servers
From left, Ottawa’s Osgoode Ward 20 Councillor George Darouze, North Dundas Deputy Mayor Gerry Boyce, Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux and Lorna Boyce assisted the Knights of Columbus members to serve the Friday supper, Feb. 2, at the Marionville Community Centre.      Carruthers photo

Sparky the Fire Dog was a hit with the younger kids playing “ball” with a nerf block, as one of the local firefighters watched or helped. Carruthers photo

Muriel Carruthers
Villager Staff
MARIONVILLE – The Marionville Winter Carnival this past weekend, which centred in and around the Marionville Community Centre, provided loads of fun for residents of the community – and visitors too – with a wide range of things to do on the cold but sunny weekend.

The carnival was previously held at the end of February. However, this year, according to two of the organizers, Valerie Villeneuve and Mireille Drouin, the dates were changed to Feb. 2 to 4, to make sure the outdoor ice was a sure thing and also to accommodate the broomball players who would be heading next weekend to the provincial Junior Broomball Tournament in Barrie (Feb. 9 to 11).

Starting off on Friday evening was the delicious spaghetti and bean supper, which saw an excellent community turnout. As in past occasions, representatives from the three municipal connections that bring the town of Marionville under an umbrella of government attended the Friday evening festivities starting with supper and then later welcomed attendees. Ottawa’s Osgoode Ward 20 Councillor George Darouze, Township of North Dundas Deputy Mayor Gerry Boyce, accompanied by his wife Lorna, and Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux assisted the Knights of Columbus members of Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila Roman Catholic Church to serve the meal to about 150 guests.

One of the highlights of the Marionville Winter Carnival over the weekend of Feb. 2 to Feb. 4, was the broomball tournament. Local competitive broomball players got together for a few exhibition games on the outdoor rink. Vetter photo

During and following the meal, guests were treated to the start of the silent auction as numerous items were gathered in a separate space for bidding on. Some of the children were enjoying the strobe lights and the different colours swirling around the walls and ceiling of the centre, as Danse Mobile was setting up the equipment for the musical entertainment, including the “Lip sync Battle” and dance, later in the evening.

Outside on Marionville’s ice rink, participants braved a windy and extremely cold start to the broomball tournament on Friday evening. The tournament continued Saturday and Sunday with better weather as kids competed in two categories of five to 10 years old and 11 to 17 years old.

The children demonstrated their creativity at the jewellery making with “Les créations JOJO” of Gatineau, Que. Carruthers photo

Other kids’ activities, on the morning of Sat., Feb. 3, included face painting, crafts, a raffle table, a Playfit obstacle course by Lifestyle+ of Embrun, and jewellery making by “Les créations JOJO” of Gatineau, Que. An added treat for the kids was to play ball with Sparky the Fire Dog who accompanied a few of the local firefighters. Following lunch at noon, there was a scheduled family skate from 2:30-4 p.m.

The event wrapped up on Sun., Feb. 4, with the carnival mass at the church, a brunch served by the Knights of Columbus from 10 a.m. to noon at the community centre and the end of the silent auction. All weekend, non-perishable items were accepted for the food bank.