TIMMINS - Carnaval d’hiver is nearly here, and there are new traditions in store.
This year marks the 58th celebration, and Le Centre culturel La Ronde is ready with concerts, food, wine, and a brand new Bonhomme costume after over 55 years.
“There’s a fan now inside,” said event coordinator Lyne Guertin. “We had to update.”
The event runs from Saturday, Feb. 1 to Sunday, Feb. 9.
The traditional ‘Who is Bonhomme?” contest is already rolling. The choices are Karine Briand, Noémie Rodrigue, or Sylvie Bernier. People who correctly guess who Bonhomme is will be entered to win a night at Cedar Meadows to sleep with the wolves.
Throughout the week, La Ronde's Facebook page will provide clues to Bonhomme’s identity, and there will be buckets at businesses throughout the city where you can enter your guess.
The big reveal is scheduled for Feb. 9, but many other draws are happening throughout the week. One of the big prizes is two tickets to an NHL game in Ottawa, including travel costs.
Local elementary classes have also entered their designs for Bonhomme’s house. The designs will be displayed at La Ronde all week, and the winning classes in each age level will receive $200.
Youth involvement doesn’t stop there. Local francophone students also helped paint the snowy scene on the front windows.
“We spent over 16 hours painting the windows, so that was the first weekend of January,” said Guertin. “They are coming back to help during Carnaval.”
Volunteer Lisa Bertrand agreed. She can remember Carnaval celebrations from when she was a child, and she hopes those good memories are passed on to this generation.
“We want to share that our French culture transmits from generation to generation and when I was a kid, I remember after the Santa Clause parade, we’d all get in and come to La Ronde and have hot chocolate,” she said. “I think that we want to have a place where everybody knows your name.”
During the week, there will be card games and a cornhole tournament, as well as the return of La Ronde’s ball hockey tournament.
“There will be little gifts for all participants, too,” said Guertin.
Things will kick off tonight (Jan 31) with drink specials at L’Armise and they’ll have pub food on the menu. On Jan 1, a spaghetti dinner.
Sunday is family day with a concert for children at 11 a.m., a hot dog lunch, and tubing at Mount Jamison for La Ronde members from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“All you have to do is show your membership card,” said Bertrand
There are a few tickets left for a wine-tasting dinner with sommelier Lucie Trépanier and McIntyre Catering on Wednesday.
“We wanted to do something every night because we want to build a community,” said Bertrand. “When you enter, you get a champagne flute, and it’s very intimate.”
The fun event list and tickets for the shows are available on La Ronde’s website.