The Mechanicsville Winter Carnival in Laroche Park on Sunday saw over 100 people in attendance which was amazing for the first day of Winterlude on the Rideau Canal! People desended on Laroche Park from all directions with skates and toboggans. Pieces of cardboard also worked well on the toboggon hill, the skate rink had several games on the go and the skate puddle is just fun for those new to walking on ice.The fun-loving people with Somerset West Community Health Center led the kids activities such as snow tug-of-war and the snow jewel game. Snow pants were necessary as these activities involved lots of falling down and rolling around in the fresh snow. Inside the Laroche Community Center, every chair was full with residents warming up with hot chocolate and enjoying donuts donated by Suzi-Q and coffee donated from Bridgehead.
A huge thank you to these two businesses for their support of local homegrown events like this one. Lots of residents dropped in to bring cookies as well which was much appreciated. Any left over goodies are donated to the home work club and youth program operated by Somerset West Community Health Center at Laroche Community Center.
However, the star of this event is always the horse and sleigh ride. It always takes your breath away when you see those huge, handsome horses come across the fields of Laroche Park. Both kids and adults run from the toboggan hill and skating rinks to meet the horses. The annual Mechanicsville Winter Carnival has been held at Laroche Park for over 30 years and Gary Scharfe of Hollybrook Farms has provided the horse and sleigh ride every year! Its an important tradition in Mechanicsville and we are glad Gary returns every year. Huge thanks to Keith Brown with the Laroche Park Sports Association who maintain the rink and sponsor the horse and sleigh ride.The Mechanicsville Community Association is the community group who continue to work to improve our neighborhood and always seeking volunteers and board members. If you want to get involved, please send us an email at MechanicsvilleCA@gmail.com or on Facebook at Mechanicsville Community Association or see our website: mechanicsville.ca.
