Bon Soo kicked-off in the cold Friday
Bon Soo kick-off Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie, with nine more days of winter fun on the agenda.
Hundreds braved the evening’s frigid temperatures to be the first ones down the always popular bum slides.
The first night of the carnival gave attendees an unconventional way to warm-up in the extremely cold temperatures; fire dancers. The group called Hoop You drew a large crowd with many watching as they made their way to the slides.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
With the exception of snow carver, Rob Amadio, Friday afternoon was the calm before the storm as one of Ontario’s oldest and largest winter carnivals was preparing for all the events through Feb. 11.
The Best in Snow - Soo Mill’s Snow Carving competition is back by popular demand and Amadio had already spent more than ten hours working on his sculptures are Clergue Park.
He is amoung a number of teams that have until Feb. 4 to create something unique for the carnival contest.
“Normally we work with wood, chainsaw carving, but with snow this is our first go at it,” said Amadio.
“It’s been a learning curve for sure, but so far I’m enjoying it even though it’s pretty cold out today.”
The sculptures and return of the bum slides are only some of the many draws as the 60th edition of Bon Soo, ‘Bon Soo Revived.’
Hockey and ringette tournaments, utilize the rink, with other events scheduled throughout the city.
While Friday’s cold temperatures did not seem to keep people away and the forecast calls for the weather to warm-up as the carnival continues, organizers are prepared, with about 135 indoor activities planned as well, including performances, dances and more to keep the community involved.
“Well they’ve always said ‘Bon Soo warms up winter,’” said Sault mayor Matthew Shoemaker.
“It’s not warm out there today, but I think it warms up the spirits of the community for sure.”
“We’re busy, we’re excited at the same time,” said the carnival’s manager, Jeany White.
“We’re working hard, there’s lots of people in the community who are digging deep to make this happen.”
After downsized versions of the carnival the last few years due to the pandemic organizers told CTV News they hope to see a resurgence of Bon Soo and fully expect to be near capacity for the week plus of fun.
“I think people will be either new to Bon Soo coming here in future years or getting bigger crowds within our hometown,” said White.
“We love people from out of town, we love to host people. It’s all about a community and working together and enjoying the winter in a way most people don’t.”
Shoemaker said he hopes that in future years Bon Soo reclaims its title as Ontario’s biggest winter carnival.
A full schedule of events can be found here and more information on the carnival and its history can be found on the Bon Soo website.
Bon Soo kick-off Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie., with nine more days of winter fun on the agenda. (Supplied)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.