Super cold fun in Sophiasburgh

Fans of winter braved Saturday’s frigid temperatures to enjoy Sophiasburgh’s Winter Carnival festivities and those who bundled up enjoyed a variety of activities inside and outside the Demorestville Town Hall.

Emily Wager and Sydney Vanderveen, from the PEC Figure Skating Club braved -30C temperatures to put on a figure skating demonstration at the Sophiasburgh Winterfest.

Guest referees MP Neil Ellis, Mayor Robert Quaiff and MPP Todd Smith officiated the annual Battle of the Blazes hockey tournament – shortened due to the extreme cold, and called by Jack Miller, former Belleville Bulls commentator. The teams featured firefighters from Sophiasburgh, Belleville and Tyendinaga.

The festival opened Friday night with a Christmas tree bonfire drawing a good crowd for hot chocolate and family skating.

The pancake breakfast was well attended Saturday morning, followed by a Chili cook-off held by the Women’s Institute and indoor activities.

The library’s Lyndsay Pearson helped Blythe, and many other youngsters, create a delicious treat for birds. The library also provided books for children to enjoy while warming up from outdoor fun. The band Seventh Town played Celtic music in the afternoon.

The festival wrapped up with about 200 people meeting at the town hall to enjoy walleye from local angler Kendall Dewey that was cooked up by Sophiasburgh firefighters.