One-Tank Trip for
Jan. 18/20
By Jim Fox
Postmedia Network/Sun newspapers and websites
In four-season
Muskoka vacationland they’re savouring the ice and snow while crowds in Toronto
just can’t wait until summer.
Aiming to be the
coolest place in Canada, trucks have dumped 50 loads of snow on the main street
in downtown Bracebridge.
 |
| It takes 50 truckloads of snow to create the tube run in downtown Bracebridge. |
That’s for epic tube
runs alongside fire pits and Muskoka chairs to offer warmth and campfire snacks
at the Fire and Ice Festival on Jan. 25.
In Toronto, they’re
turning winter into summer at the Toronto International Boat Show on now
through Jan. 26 featuring a huge indoor lake.
Light my fire
“The Fire and Ice
Festival brings together two powerful elements that pay homage to the glory of
a Canadian winter in a creative event that truly has something for every age
and taste,” said Tracy Larkman of the Bracebridge Business Improvement Area.
 |
| Fire eater Brant Matthews puts on a hot show in Bracebridge. |
The downtown will
be alive with activities, demonstrations, gathering places, music and entertainment
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Fire” is represented by fire pits and Brant
Matthews, a professional fire eater and juggler, ending with a fireworks show by
the Rotary Club.
“You can expect
Bracebridge to once again be crowned the ‘coolest downtown in Canada’ when it
is transformed from its quaint and charming core into an epic tubing hill for
all to ride,” said Katie O’Hearn of Muskoka Tourism.
“Ice” elements
include the tube run, skating trail, ice sculpture demonstrations to transform
a block of ice into a work of art and axe throwing.
 |
A frosty scene as an ice carver gets into his
work.
|
Muskoka has a
well-deserved reputation for knowing how to celebrate winter.
“Every year we
welcome guests who join us to ski or snowshoe the trails, skate the lakes,
climb the frozen waterfalls, take a tour through the forests by dog or horse
sled and just savour the incredible beauty that is ours,” Larkman said.
There will be
musical acts on stage throughout town as well, including the Griffin Gastro
Pub, Kelly’s Irish Pub and Camp Muskoka Coffeehouse that also has an outdoor
fireplace.
Festival tickets
are $5 a person (free for children five and younger).
Just add water
One of the
highlights of the Toronto boat show is that Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel,
is back.
“Twiggy took a
brief break after 40 years of performing across North America but is returning
to the show by popular demand,” said publicist Tran Nguyen.
 |
| Making a splash at the boat show. (Dave Sandford) |
This is North
America’s largest indoor boat show and it docks at the Enercare Centre.
There are 1,200 new
boats on display and more than 550 exhibitors showing every product to enjoy
the boating lifestyle.
This includes engines
to trailers, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, marine accessories, navigational
technology and must-haves for entertaining at the cottage.
Some of the
highlights include the centrepiece indoor lake for free boat rides,
wakeboarding lessons, a kid’s fishing zone and a sailing simulator.
There’s also the
new boater welcome centre, 300 free seminars and workshops, and special guests
including treasure hunters Darrell Miklos and Jim Sinclair of the Discovery
Channel’s Cooper’s Treasure show.
 |
| Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel, is a hit at the Toronto boat show. (Dave Sandford) |
Tammy Wolf, one of
the most successful powerboat racers in North America, will make an appearance
and the show will feature wakeboarding championships.
Women’s Day takes
place on Jan. 19 with “hands-on lessons to further their boating skills.”
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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