Winter events adapt as mild temperatures persist in Simcoe County
It's the beginning of February, but it does not feel like it. The sunny conditions and mild temperatures have forced several winter events in the region to adapt this weekend by moving from ice to pavement or outdoors to indoors.
Bradford West Gwillimbury's Annual Outdoor Hockey Day was forced to abandon the outdoors, with the state of its rink melted.
"Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side this year," said Tasha Bain, Bradford Leisure Events & Marketing Supervisor.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
Instead, outdoor ice hockey became indoor ball hockey and still featured plenty of activities for the 60 kids in attendance with their families.
"Things went really well, all the kids were really happy," Bain said. "We had some great giveaway bags for our sponsors. Everyone was really happy to celebrate hockey day."
Braestone Winter Classic
In Oro-Medonte, the Braestone Winter Classic was forced off the ice this year.
The 3-on-3 charity pond hockey tournament became a ball hockey tournament outdoors, still helping to raise funds to support the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).
The third annual event was inspired by organizer Ted Markle's late brother Jeff, who passed away from cancer two years ago.
"Jeff would've loved this tournament. He would've been in his element because nobody loved hockey more than him," Markle told CTV News on Saturday. "Nobody made people feel more welcome more than Jeff. Nobody made people laugh more than Jeff."
Over 120 people participated in the tournament despite the last-minute switch to a ball hockey format.
The tournament also surpassed its fundraising goal of $130,000.
"We pivoted, but honestly, it's been such a great response," said Ryan McLeod, Braestone Winter Classic Committee Member. "So many teams have come out, so many participants are here."
Winter Festivals
The Saturday sunshine helped make Barrie's annual Winterfest feel more like spring but still brought out families in droves to enjoy the activities.
Skating events were cancelled, but food vendors, jumping jamborees, a helicopter tour, and a lumberjack show were just some activities families could look forward to.
The same story could be said for the 49th annual Sunnidale Winterama event in New Lowell.
"It is our greatest little show on snow, and it's all about celebrating the winter spirit and bringing our community together," said Amanda Murray with Clearview Township. "We have tons of family events that happen. We have long traditions like the parade and bed races."
Winterama organizers were forced to cancel its 'Snowmaggedon' snowmobile show and obstacle course due to a lack of snow. Skating was also cancelled for the weekend festival.
However, a winter hiking event will happen on Sunday for families as the festival looks to close out.
Barrie's Winterfest festivities will also run through until Sunday night.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.