THUNDER BAY – It was a Christmas Eve win-win as the Friends of Chippewa Park announced a lucky resident would take home over $16,000 in a draw supporting the park’s upcoming 100th anniversary plans.
The friends group announced Rick Stempein of Thunder Bay as the winner of its 50/50 draw Thursday, after city councillor Andrew Foulds drew his name from among 1,663 purchased tickets.
Proceeds from the draw will support a free five-day family festival the group is planning for the summer of 2021, to commemorate the park’s centenary.
The festival will take place from July 29 to Aug. 2, organizers have said. Plans include live entertainment, fireworks, family-friendly events, and a ceremony marking the day the park was first commissioned in 1921.
Organizers have said they anticipate up to 26,000 people attending the event, with hopes social gathering restrictions related to COVID-19 will be eased by summer.
“It’s a challenge,” said Cathy Sawicki, co-chair for the 100th anniversary for Chippewa Park festivities, in October. “But hopefully by next summer the worst of this will be over. Even if a version of it is still going on, we do have a plan B.
“It’s a huge, massive park so there will be lots of room for social distancing.”
