​Plenty of fun planned for Ripley Winter Carnival, Feb. 16-17

This year’s Ripley Winter Carnival offers plenty of great activities at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, Feb. 16-17.

The event opens with the Ripley Lions Costume Skate, Friday, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

It’s like Halloween in February! Who doesn’t love another chance to wear that favourite costume? Dress to impress and you might win a prize. The event is sponsored by the Ripley Lions Club and the Ripley Agricultural Society.

Saturday, features Huron-Bruce Minor Hockey games from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3:30-5 p.m. Come and cheer on the hometown boys and girls in between activities at the winter carnival.

Everyone’s favourite event, the Pancake Breakfast, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, ham and toast served by your dedicated Huron-Kinloss council and staff volunteers. Cost is $10 each for adults, $5 each for children under age 12, and $25 for a family of four; children under the age of five eat for free.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides begin at 10 a.m. and run through to 1 p.m., courtesy of Jim and Fran Farrell of Farhope Farms near Ripley. Enjoy a wintry sleigh ride through the fields beside the Ripley Complex.

Another popular event, is the Ice Painting, from 1-2 p.m., supported by the Ripley Agricultural Society. Create a masterpiece on the arena surface; parent supervision is required for this activity.

There are fire truck displays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet some of Ripley’s firefighters, take a tour of a truck and learn some fire safety, thanks to the Ripley-Huron Fire Department.

Euchre and bridge tournaments run from 1:30-3:30 p.m., in the social room, sponsored by Rosewood RVilla.

The Hockey Skills Competition runs 5-6 p.m., with the Ripley Wolves. Categories include best shooter, puck control and fastest skater in the following age groups: 6-7; 8-9; 10-11; and 12-13. There are prizes to be won; no registration is required.

And stick around after the skills competition for some fun public skating, from 6-7 p.m., sponsored by the Ripley Wolves.