By John Francis, Bruce Peninsula Press
After a two-year hiatus, the Chi-Cheemaun Festival came back with a bang! The festival was limited to a single day — Saturday, June 18 — and high winds cancelled the fireworks display, but everybody had fun.
The slow-pitch ball tournament was limited to four teams (shortage of umpires and single-day format) but nobody complained. In fact, quite a few people thought this was wonderful because all four teams were local and everybody knew all the players.
The winning team was the Clavering Raiders, organized by Doug Reid. The Raiders beat Tobermory Wrex in the championship game. The presentation of the JP Johnstone Memorial Trophy was made by Shirley (Mrs JP) Johnstone.
Back Row: Brianna Klerks, Kaylene Schultz, Tom Holbrough, Shirley Johnstone (presenting the trophy), Darren (Kirby) Robins, Goby Klerks, Bill Elgie, Nick Liverance, & Don Bird. Front Row: Emy Liverance, Ken Schultz, Kendra Schultz, Lexy Klerks. Missing: Evan Liverance and Darcy Sweeney. Photo Credit: Katherine Schultz.
The Pickleball demonstration and Youth Tournament was well-attended (pickleball has taken Tobermory by storm).
There was a lively pickleball demonstration at Chi-Cheemaun Festival 2022, including a Youth Pickleball Tournament. Avrey Andress and Ellie Munn (of the Backhand Besties team) made up a complete set of trophies (from pickle jars) and prizes for the tournament.
The Classic Car Show returned to the Chi-Cheemaun ferry dock parking lot, courtesy of organizer by Al Betterley. There was good attendance and some awesome cars. Al did a fantastic job organizing the event.
The Cardboard Boat Races were everything an audience (of 500+ people!) could have wanted. It was sunny and warm; there was excellent seamanship on display and quite a few capsizes.
The day’s grand prize winner was eleven-year-old Colton Larrivee who captained the family boat Minions and won three races — the first heat, the run-off and the championship. The prizes were donated by Jeff and Kelly Krampien, Blue Heron Company and the Hungry Hiker.
Minions was originally built in 2015 by Dan Larrivee; it has been entered in the cardboard boat races every year since then (mostly winning). Crew over the years have consisted of the Larrivee kids and their friends from Big Tub.
Minions has been dried off and stored in the basement of Grandpa Brown’s cottage at Big Tub, waiting for next year. The seven-seat O Canada, another Brown/Larrivee boat, won its heat but did not survive the day. Dan Larrivee promises a replacement boat for next year.
