NIPIGON — Time to start sharpening your skates and those marshmallow-roasting sticks.
On Jan. 30, the Nipigon Volunteer Fire Department, in collaboration with the township, is hosting a Bonfire & ODR Fun event at the recreation field/tennis courts.
All are welcome to come out and join in on the fun.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their skates and play some hockey or just go for a leisurely skate.
Nipigon’s Culture and Recreation Manager, Kristin Dutil, said that opening up Nipigon’s tennis courts for skating has been an annual tradition for quite some time in the township.
However, this will be the second or third year that Nipigon has hosted the bonfire, which is held in the recreation field right next to the tennis courts.
Dutil said that adding the bonfire, marshmallows, and s’mores was just one way to build upon Nipigon’s skating tradition.
Partnering with the volunteer fire department adds more to the fun.
Besides supervising the bonfire itself, the fire department also bring their fire trucks for any youth in attendance who want a chance to see the inside and learn a bit more about how they operate.
“They can tour the fire truck. The volunteer firefighters are pretty good – and then you get to meet them as well. They let them press the buttons and the sirens and so forth. Sometimes in big cities you don’t get to do that, you don’t have the option to do that kind of stuff,” Dutil said.
The only challenge, according to Dutil, has been trying to maneuver around kids’ hockey schedules.
“Here, there’s a lot going on through the week with hockey practices, so we're trying to accommodate in-between some of them. Obviously, you can’t in all instances because all divisions practice each day of the week. Typically, they’ll go to their hockey and then come out for the bonfire.”
Other than that, however, she said that they usually get a good turnout.
The event is completely free for those who are able to attend. It will run from 6:30 to 8 pm on Jan. 30.
