Countdown on to second 1000 Islands pond hockey and curling events

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By EMC News

EMC Events - It's the most fun one can have on a frozen pond.

Less than a month remains before the second annual 1000 Islands Pond Hockey Championship and Pond Curling Championships return to the beautiful St. Lawrence River.

From Feb. 17-19, teams from across the province will descend on the Gateway to the 1000 Islands - Gananoque - to experience both hockey and curling 'in the raw.'

Both the 1000 Islands Pond Hockey and Pond Curling Championships are being launched in partnership with the 1000 Islands Accommodation Partners to kick off a winter weekend for young and old.

In addition to the fast 4 on 4 pond hockey that will be played in the traditional pond hockey style format with no goalies and using nets that are only 6ft long x 10 inches high, the 1000 Islands Pond Curling action will also be exciting as the uniqueness of mother's nature ice will keep the experienced and non-experienced curlers guessing throughout the weekend. This winter weekend will offer a lot to do for everyone including a Gigantic Christmas Tree Burn & Family Hot Chocolate Night, Molly's Chip Truck, family skating, horse-drawn wagon rides, full on family events, specials at all downtown shops as well as welcoming accommodations, dining and festivities throughout the entire small town.

The Pook Toque team will be back as part of the Vendor's Village to introduce the latest Canadian craze. Now just like Justin Beiber, everyone can don one of these amazingly versatile and totally cool hats.

New events this year will include Findlay Foods Taste of Gananoque that will feature local restaurants' best stews, soups or chilis. For $2 patrons can sample these creations while raising funds for the Gananoque Food Bank.

The Kingston Running Room will be organizing a Freeze Your Buns 1km and 5km Fun Run which is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels and part of the proceeds will go to the Gananoque Food Bank as well.

The Gananoque Brewing Company has joined in the fun and will be running the Gananoque Brewing Company Ice Bar this year and will be offering its spin and ever popular local beers for spectators and players.

And Redmond Realty will be hosting the first Kids Ice Fishing Derby for children aged up to 12 years old. This event is intended to introduce children to the experience and fun of ice fishing and is free of charge to participate.

The Cabaret Comedy Collective and the Gananoque Curling Club are especially excited about their Feb. 19 show. As a wind-up to Pondapalooza on Sunday night from 5-8 p.m., expect a full three hours of entertainment honouring all the sports we love (or love to hate)! There is a charge for this and it is recommended that tickets are purchased in advance.

The excitement generated by these unique activities is bringing in hockey celebrities for the Alumni Pond Hockey Challenge with NHL favorites such as Rick Smith, Brad Marsh, Corey Foster, Shawn Rivers , Chris Clifford, Mark Patterson, and Ted Bulley, Ron Plumb, Ed Staniowski and Fred O'Donnell.

Last year this event featured the funniest and wittiest man on CBC television, Rick Mercer. This year Toronto's Breakfast Television will be live on hand filming a segment on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7-9 a.m. It is important the community comes out and shows their support and town pride to the rest of the country and what Gananoque has to offer, a little town with big heart!

This event is made possible thanks to the Thousand Islands Accommodation Partners and the many generous businesses, organizations and individuals.

Register for the pond hockey or pond curling, ice fishing or Fun Runs online or for a full list of weekend events visit www.1000islandstourism.com