Sunnidale Winterama
Introduction
Sunnidale Winterama is a winter-themed festival presented by Clearview Township and has celebrated winter activities since 1975 in the village of New Lowell. Touting itself as "the greatest little show on snow", active volunteers known as the "Friends of Winterama" have organized this multi-day event filled with great family fun!
The Winterama weekend this year is from February 3 to February 5, 2023. All "in-person activities" have returned. The Friends of the Winterama volunteers are continuing with the Snow Sculpture Photo Contest, Best Beard Growing and Mustache Contest and the Poster/Colouring Sheet Contest.
50/50 Draw! The draw will be on Saturday night during the Adult Dance. Buy your tickets starting on December 1, for $2 each or 3 tickets for $5.00.
Get your Buttons! The buttons, a popular collector item since 1975, are now on sale. The cost is only $2 per button. Email sunnidalewinterama@gmail.com to arrange to purchase buttons for your entire family! Buttons will also be available at Clearview Auto, Creemore Coffee Company and all-weekend long!
Support the New Lowell Legion Branch 516 - Every Friday night between 6 pm-8 pm, the Kitchen is open for Take Out. Call to order at 705-424-1621 .
Get 'Social' with Winterama
Facebook: /sunnidalewinterama
Instagram: @sunnidalewinterama
The Best Beard and Moustache Competition returns to Winterama.
How to participate:
1. Start your Beard/Moustache or use the one you have.
2. Take a picture of the before or stop into the New Lowell Legion and see Chuck.
3. Beards and Moustaches will be judged on Friday February 3 during the Spaghetti Dinner. All contestants and the winner’s photos will be posted on Facebook & Instagram, once judging is complete. By entering this contest, you agree to have your photo used for future promotions unless otherwise notified in writing.
4. You must have a Winterama Button ($2.00) to enter the Contests.
Awards for Best Beard, Honourable Mention and Best Santa Beard
New! Awards for the Longest Waxed Moustache
Trophy and bragging rights. Grow on! Let's see the best beards and 'staches in Clearview Township.
The Friends of Winterama want to see as many Snow Sculptures as possible! Gather your household, wear your warmest mittens and get building a snow sculpture. This year's theme is "Together Again" or incorporate any of your favourite Winterama memories.
How to participate:
1. Build your Sculpture anytime between now and January 30th.
2. Take a picture of your work of snow-art
3. Email it to sunnidalewinterama@gmail.com with “Snow Sculpture Contest” in the subject line by Monday January 30th. Include your address, phone number and contact name of at least one family member.
4. Snow sculptures winners will be announced during the Spaghetti Dinner. All contestants and the winner’s photos will be posted on Facebook and Instagram once judging is complete. Photos will be used for promotional materials in the future, unless otherwise indicated in writing.
Prizes for Top 2 Sculptures! Win one of two $50 gift certificates.
Colouring Contest
Categories are open to any student attending a Clearview school or a school-age child that lives in Clearview Township.
Kindergarten,
Grade 1
Grade 2
Submit a digital copy or photograph by email to sunnidalewinterama@gmail.com by Monday January 30th at 11:59pm with "Colouring Contest" in the subject line. Each colouring sheet needs to include the First & Last Name of Child, School, and Grade.
Poster Contest 2023
- Categories are open to any student attending a Clearview school or a school-age child that lives in Clearview Township.
- Grades 3 and 4
- Grades 5 and 6
- Grades 7 and 8
- Must include:
- Sunnidale Winterama
- February 3-5th, 2023
- Incorporate the 2023 theme: Together Again
- 1 penguin
- Landscape format only (long edge of paper)
Submit a digital copy or photograph by email to sunnidalewinterama@gmail.com by Monday, January 30th at 11:59 pm with "Poster Contest" in the subject line. Each poster needs to include the First & Last Name of the Child, School, and Grade.
Prizes for the Colouring Sheet and Poster Contest will be given to children during the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, February 4th at 11:00 AM, New Lowell Recreation Park.
The Craft & Vendor Market will be at the New Lowell Legion on Saturday February 4th from 11AM-3PM. Come out and support local artisans, vendors and small businesses!
Don't miss the Church Pies at the United Church, on sale Saturday Feb. 4th starting at 11AM.
If you are interested in learning more, please email Melanie Walters
The Winterama Parade is on Saturday morning. Parade staging starts at 10:00am at Greengage Rd. The Parade starts at 10:30am and finishes at the New Lowell Recreation Park.
Parade Float Registration is now open. There is no cost to participate. Bragging rights for the best dressed float! Every kid on a float gets a ticket for a free hot chocolate.
2023 Theme: Together Again.
Please contact Jenny Kers at 705-796-3110.
New format! The Annual Bed Races happen during the Winterama Parade. This long-standing tradition is a great opportunity to show your community pride!
Registration is open to any community organization. For more information, please call Deb Bronee at dbronee@yahoo.ca or 705-790-4262.
Trophy is awarded during the Opening Ceremonies!
General Information:
*Bed Races will start at Clearview Auto after the Parade. There will be 2 heats and a Grand Finale.
1. Each team must have 5 people to a team who actually race (4 runners, 1 rider and 1 alternate, just in case).
2. Rider must wear helmet.
3. Two beds will race at once per heat. The winner of each heat will run the final.
4. Any size wheels are permitted.
5. No braking devices allowed.
6. No steering devices allowed.
7. Pushing the bed only during the race, no pulling.
8. All 5 team members must pass finish line (with the bed) in order to win.
Bed Construction:
1. Twin bed size only. Mattress or padding (minimum of 4 inches thick) must be part of design and design must mimic a bed with headboard and footboard.
2. Beds must have minimum of four wheels one in each corner, all must touch the ground. Wheels can be any size.
3. Beds must have a headboard and footboard
4. Bed cannot have any means of propulsion other than the team pushing it. No motors. No steering mechanism. Human power only. No brakes.
5. Bed may have push bars not extending more than 4 inches out. Nothing sharp may be part of the bed.
6. Any violations in bed design will have penalties (up to and including disqualification). Beds that are not constructed according to the rules will be required to be modified to adhere to the rules.
7. No sharp items, glass or obscene items on beds. Beds will be disqualified for any of these violations
NEW! Everything is better with homemade Butter Tarts! The Best Homemade Butter Tart Contest invites any amateur baker to enter their butter tart.
Nuts, Raisins, or Plain - Let's not overcomplicate this. You will be asked which category you want to enter your butter tarts in upon arrival, only choose one.
NO. STORE. BOUGHT. ENTRIES. We are in a small town, and we will know… we always know. This is for the bragging rights for HOMEMADE butter tarts.
Judging criteria includes pastry, filling, and look and taste of only the butter tarts.
You are required to enter 1 dozen tarts on one paper plate/platter that will be sold with the remaining butter tarts, after the judging.
Judges will sample the tarts. The rest will be sold as donations at the New Lowell Legion. Thank you for supporting the newest and best tasting fundraiser of Winterama. All proceeds support local community initiatives.
Tarts MUST be at the New Lowell Legion no later than 12 PM, Noon on Saturday, February 4.
Judging will take place between 1 PM-2 PM and winners announced at 3 PM.
You must have a Winterama Button ($2.00) to enter the Best Homemade Butter Tart Contest.
You can enter butter tarts into all three categories, but you are only limited to one batch per category and will only be eligible to win in one category. So choose your categories wisely.
The winner will have bragging rights, the sweet victory of achievement, while also supporting Winterama!
The Burning of the Green will be on Friday, February 3rd, from 7 PM-8 PM at the New Lowell Recreation Park.
North Star Fireworks starts at 8PM.
Hot chocolate & popcorn for sale at the Food Booth.
Watch the New Lowell Firefighters Facebook page for organized pickup times for your ol' Christmas trees. You're encouraged to bring the trees to the New Lowell Park anytime after December 26th.
Friday Night Comedy Night
The brand new "Den of Hilarities" comedy show is at the New Lowell Legion. Doors open at 8:30 PM, show starts at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $20 per person, cash sales, at the door only. | 19+ event.
Saturday Night Adult Dance
Live music featuring...The Renaissance Band. A six-piece band multi-talented band playing a little bit of everything all night long.
8:30 PM at the New Lowell Legion, $15 per person at the door | 19+ event, Cash Bar. Late night pizza. Prizes for best dressed, group costume or couple. The theme is "Together Again" so get creative. 50/50 Draw winners will be announced!
Spaghetti Dinner (Rescheduled: Feb 17th)
Come out and support the New Lowell Firefighters' Association at the annual Spaghetti Dinner. Friday, February 3 at the New Lowell Legion from 4:30 PM-7:00 PM.
$10 for 13yrs and older | $5 for ages 6-12yrs old | 5 & under Free
Don't miss the Beard + Moustache Contest Judging at 6:30 PM and Meet Winterama Willie. Live music by Jenny & Dave Duo.
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
The Pancake & Sausage Breakfast is prepared by the United Church and will take place at the New Lowell Legion.
Saturday, February 4th, from 8 AM-10 AM (before the Parade!)
$8 for 13+ and older | $5 for ages 6-12yrs | 5 and under FREE
Food Booth
Open on Friday, February 2 from 7 PM-8 PM - Popcorn & Hot Chocolate
Open on Saturday, February 3 from after the Parade, approximately 11 AM until 3 PM.
Don't forget to buy your commemorative Winterama 2023 button for $2.00. Prior years' buttons will be available too!
Big Breakfast
The New Lowell Legion is preparing the BIG Breakfast on Sunday, February 5th from 9 AM-12 PM. Eggs, bacon, sausage & toast | $8 per person
The AXED Trailer is back! A fan-favourite in 2018, all ages and abilities can come and try throwing axes in the enclosed trailer.
Saturday, February 4th from 11 AM-3 PM at the New Lowell Recreation Park.
You must have a Winterama button to try axe-throwing. Special thanks to community sponsors.
Progressive Euchure Tournament will start at 1PM at the New Lowell Legion on Saturday February 4th.
Please call Leona Hartling at 705-424-0587 to sign up in advance.
Winterama is organized by a small dedicated group of residents in New Lowell known as the "Friends of Winterama" and are supported by staff from Clearview Township. Volunteers are needed to assist with many of the events and tasks.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Amanda Murray, Community Culture & Tourism Coordinator at amurray@clearview.ca
Meetings are typically held on Tuesday nights at the New Lowell Legion from 7:30pm-9pm. Attendance is not mandatory, but encouraged as often as possible.
The tradition continues! For 48 years, the Opening Ceremonies have been at the New Lowell Recreation Park at 11:00AM (after the Parade).
O'Canada, Greetings from the Township and the Presentation of the Awards.
Outdoor Kids' Games
Four games for children starting after the Opening Ceremonies.
- Ages 5 and under
- 6-9 years
- 10-13 years
- 14+ years old
Win 1st, 2nd and 3rd medals
The new Outdoor Rink is maintained by the New Lowell Firefighters Association. Bring your skates!
Clearview Public Library will be open all afternoon. A great place to warm up!
All new event! The ultimate snowmobile meets outdoors challenge competition.
Starting at 1PM at the New Lowell Recreation Park Soccer Fields.
Eligible competitors must be 12 years or older and possess a valid insurance, snowmobile license or drivers license. Teams consist of 2 team members and must provide their own snowmobile.
Limited Space: Maximum 12 teams. Staging and parking - please enter on the west side of New Lowell Park.
Registration is $25.00 per team. Please call JT Powersports to register at (705)424-1691
$300 cash prize for first place $100 for second $50 for third
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This is a timed competition, on a closed course.
Step1 before starting the race. Team must remove their snowmobile belt. Once timer is started you must install the belt, making sure all guards are returned into place, start snowmobile and proceed to first check point.
Check Point 1 – stop snowmobile, turn off snowmobile, hook onto sleigh, start snowmobile and proceed to check point 2.
Check Point 2 – each teammate must cut a log with hand saw or buck saw before proceeding to check point 3
Check Point 3 – load logs onto sleigh and complete 1 full lap and return to check point 3. Turn off snowmobile, unload logs before removing sleigh. Then proceed to check point 4
Check Point 4- turn off snowmobile, start fire at designated spot, both team mates to run to final check point where both teammates must hit the final buzzer to register their time.