“Carnival to open rink” reads the December 9, 1935 headline of the earliest archival material the ICA has about our community’s long-held winter tradition. Although my history of the event is spotty from there, I think it is safe to say a winter carnival of some sort has taken place in Inglewood every year since 1935, barring global pandemics and other “unprecedented” events. It has been touted as the ICA Winter Carnival since the organization’s establishment in 1959, making 2024 the 65th ICA Winter Carnival.
Over the years the event has included bingo, parades, the crowning of Carnival Queens and Kings, Cross Country ski races, dad’s vs. kids broom ball games, skating competitions, costume competitions, cake, hamburgers, hot dogs, student fundraising, dances, community suppers, bake sales, dog cart rides, wagon rides and so much more.
On Saturday, February 17, I’m glad to say the tradition will continue. It might not be a 12-hour event anymore, but it will be fun! You can expect some of the same activities from years far past and more recent too. We’ll break out the ICA’s 58 year old bingo machine, serve up some delicious treats, enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, cuddle up with farm cuties, make crafts and cross our fingers we still have ice.
We’ll lean back into the old-timey neighbourly competitive spirit with the introduction of Community Olympics. Form your team of 5 now or join a team at the Carnival. Each team member will compete in one solo event and all members will compete in two team events vying for points, glory and maybe even some prizes.
Be sure to renew your ICA membership or to buy one at the party to be entered into our members only door prize draw.
Special Invitation to long-time Inglewood residents and Seniors
If you are a long-time Inglewood resident (25 years or more) or a treasured senior member of our community, we’d like to extend a special invite for you to attend Bingo followed by tea and cake. Bingo starts at 1:00 PM. We will have a seniors shuttle service to help you get back and forth from your place and the ICA. Get in touch with Talia at events@icacalgary.ca or 403-264-3835 to make arrangements for a pick-up.
Volunteers have always been the life-blood of this and all other ICA events. Sign up to help out today by visiting www.icacalgary.com/volunteers or getting in touch with Talia at the contact information provided above.
I look forward to coming together as a neighbourhood family over the Family Day Long Weekend this year!
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