THE CATOWA

STRATFORD, ON - Jan. 25, 2004

With the world famous Shakespearean Festival Theatre in the background, over 1000 local residents gathered on the flats of the Avon River to celebrate the final day of "Winterfest 2004". The annual carnival which began in 1998 is now a 2 week event filled with a wide variety of winter-based activities geared to the young and the young at heart.

Beatrice Jordon Discusses Tug-of-war Event With
Mark Moore

Chairperson Beatrice Jordan expressed her satisfaction with this year's edition that brought out nearly 8000 participants and spectators during the two weeks. Jordan was especially grateful to the numerous local businesses and organizations as well as the other 11 committee members that pitched in by donating their time and resources to make the event such a success. She pointed out that this year's program featured about 44 activities, the most ever since the winter carnival began six years ago.

When asked if she could name a highlight of this year's festival, Jordan replied, "The Dancing Lights, a computerized and synchronized light display presented each evening by our local radio station CJCS (1240 AM or 107.7 FM) and Corporate Solutions." Regarding plans for next year's Winter-fest, she expressed her wish to expand the festival from a community based event to one that would attract tourists from outside the Stratford area.

Firefighters Team At Winterfest 2004

The ever popular tug-of-war event that began in 1999 was again well attended by four local teams from the Ontario Tug-of-War Association as well as two teams from the local detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police and the Stratford Firefighters. In the spirit of fun and friendship, the six teams competed in a double round robin tournament that was both interesting and entertaining. At the end of it all, Ellice finished 1st with 5 wins and 0 losses, followed by South Easthope with a record of 4 and 1. In 3rd place was Nissouri and Zorra finished 4th. The O.P.P and the Firefighter's teams finished 5th and 6th respectively.

Mark Moore, owner of a local Tim Horton's coffee shop franchise brought his previous experience in organizing a similar tournament at the Grand Bend Winter Carnival in 2001 and 2002 to this year's Stratford tournament. Together with tug-of-war veteran Murray Schlotzhauer from North Easthope, the event was well co-ordinated and the competition went off without a hitch.

Kid's Time To Test Their Skills

This year's crowd of spectators was the largest yet at the event and enthusiastically demonstrated their approval by cheering on their favourite teams. When the competition was finished and the awards were presented, many of the children, excited by the afternoons competition, were invited to form two teams to try their skills at pulling the rope.

Judging from the positive comments of participants, spectators and organizers at the end of the afternoon, this event will certainly be on the program again next season at Winterfest 2005.

TUG-OF-WAR ON SNOW