Polar Bear From Parliament?
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha shows what Northern Members of Provincial Parliament are made of! Submitted photo
BLIND RIVER, ON – Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha was busy visiting Winter Carnivals in communities across his riding this month. Among those he attended was the 46th Annual Blind River Winter Carnival 2015 where Mantha chose to share his enthusiasm and show his support by participating in a Polar Bear Plunge which included prizes for categories like ‘best costume ‘.
Though temperatures across the region reached record lows this February, Blind River carnival organizers chose to go ahead with all scheduled events.
“It’s a Winter Carnival, not a Summer Carnival. The Blind River residents are tough and have a lot of community spirit and will weather through cold temperatures”. answered the Blind River Festivals Office in regards to questions about possible cancellation of the carnival.
Not everyone agreed that -25 was ideal weather for the plunge and participant numbers were down from previous years however Mr. Mantha was still in good company with 18 crazy plungers ranging from ages 9 yrs to 65 yrs participating including a few brave souls from Sault Ste. Marie who travelled to participate in Blind River following cancellation of the plunge at the Bon Soo Carnival due to the cold weather.
Blind River’s oldest polar plunge participant was Eugene Cyr who celebrated his 65th birthday in August 2014. Not only did Cyr brave this year’s plunge, he promised to return and plunge again every 5 years for many carnivals to come and so will be back in the icy water at 70 yrs, and again at 75 yrs…
1st place Blind River Snow Sculpture winner Chloe Morningstar proudly stands with her sculpture. Submitted photo
Other events held during Blind River’s Carnival included a snow sculpture contest, judged by two representatives of Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and won by Blind River resident ChloeMorningstar. Congratulations to Chloe!
