Cabin Fever wraps up for 2013
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PETAWAWA - The combination of the solid support of the community and good weather continues to make Cabin Fever a winner.
Colin Coyle, Petawawa's program co-ordinator, said once again, Petawawa's winter carnival has exceeded his expectations.
"The weather was cooperating again," he said, being mild without the melt as what happened the previous weekend.
This led to the rescheduling of the second half of the Snow Drags to Saturday from last Sunday. With temperatures well above freezing with rain rotting the snow, the races featuring the powerful Trail Improved and Mod class sleds had been moved to this weekend for safety reasons.
That event went off without a hitch, despite the freezing drizzle which formed later in the afternoon.
"It was mild, but not too mild, and it wasn't extremely cold either," he said. "No one wants to spend three hours in the extreme cold watching snowmobile races."
Overall, the mild, if gloomy, weather of Saturday coupled with the bright and sunny, if brisk, conditions Sunday added up to another successful Cabin Fever.
"Again, lots of people have been coming out," Coyle said, noting he's seen many new faces among the community members coming out.
"It was great to see everything come together and be a great community event."
Petawawa's annual winter carnival wrapped up its second weekend of activities with a variety of events, from downhill ski races Saturday afternoon at Mount Molson to a day of snowmobile racing at the drag racing track.
There were games and activities within the Petawawa Public Library during story time, while later that afternoon boys 14 and under took part in the Boyz will be Boyz Party.
The second annual Blisterin' Beans Chili Cook Off again featured a half dozen entrants vying for the title based on popular vote. This year, there was a new champion, as Heather Jobe was presented the trophy for the best chili.
At night, another sold-out show for Absolute Comedy Stand-Up was followed by a dance featuring live music by the Joe Lance Band.
On Sunday, it was a pancake breakfast hosted by the Petawawa Presbyterian Church, followed by the Firefighter's Sliding Party on the hill behind the municipal office, while at the Civic Centre the TZ's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Party and a Buske Office Family Skate took place. The Civitan Club helped to end the weekend with its evening bingo.
Mr. Coyle said Cabin Fever's success is due to the support of the community, especially the backing of local businesses and the efforts of volunteers, service clubs, organizations and many others.
"Once again, we owe it all to them," he said.
Stephen Uhler is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist
stephen.uhler@sunmedia.ca