2026 Port Carling Winterfest - My View, By Katja Uhde
Almost every February since 1968 our community has come together and had a winter carnival of some kind. We did miss two years due to Covid. It all began with snowmobile races and log sawing competitions on Silver Lake. Now we are 56 years old and hold our activities in the Community Center, the Legion, Hanna Park, the Arena, the Curling Club and the Library. With the generosity of the Township of Muskoka lakes, the organizational skills of the Port Carling Lions Club, the many volunteers and over 10 Community Groups who participate, we continue holding this beloved Port Carling tradition. Many local businesses help pay for the wonderful events offered, or donate to our Silent Auction. If you add up all the volunteers from all the community groups there are probably more than 100 volunteers that make Winterfest happen. So, there is definitely something to keep us busy in Port Carling during the winter.
Winterfest weekend brings people of all ages together! It is amazing to see how the arena fills up on the Friday night to watch the figure skating show. There is so much pride that you can feel from the skaters and their families. This is part of the magic of Winterfest. I believe this feeling of community togetherness is what it is all about.
On the Saturday it is so much fun to watch how the kids go from one event to another with their parents and grandparents in tow. A highlight for me this year was watching all the kids on their parents laps making the bird houses and bat houses downstairs in the community center. I was also lucky enough to go for a Horse and Wagon ride with close family friends this year. It was priceless to watch little Lauren’s face light up with a huge smile when she saw the horses. 91 year old Mervin Brown warmed all of our hearts as he showed us how log sawing is really done. He and his niece, Beth, won the log sawing competition. All of this equals Winterfest magic for me!
Besides the bird and bat house building, new additions to Winterfest this year were: Liam Kearney the musician, Ron the Party Magician, the Team Trivia event run by Daniel Grant, and the music of Tobin Spring. All were well attended and added to the family fun. The attendance of the Vintage Blue Spaghetti Dinner was up by at least 40 people and we figure it was due to the bar being open and the live music.
Sunday morning we were all able to get together at the Port Carling Community Centre and watch the Olympic Canada/USA hockey game on the big screen. Although the outcome of the game is not what we had hoped for, it was fun to be able to watch the game together with the room filled with fellow hockey fans. We were lucky enough to be able to enjoy the delicious Pancake Breakfast at the same time. Next came the Polar Bear Dip which 10 brave souls took part in. As usual we had more viewers than participators but it also brought a feeling of togetherness. If anyone wants to use the Winterfest Polar Bear Dip as a way to make money for your non for profit organization please do!
To finish off the busy weekend, the Legion held their annual Chili Cook-off which Susan Nairn from Shamrock Lodge won. Congratulations Susan!
So, for those who think Port Carling is dead in the winter I say NOT! For at least three days we all come out of hibernation and have lots of fun! Thank you so very much for all who make it happen each year and for all who attend. A community who works and plays together, stays together!
With fond regards,
Katja Uhde
