Students in Grades 3-6 can now register their team into the 59th Jam Pail Bonspiel. More than 300 students are expected to participate in what has become the city's longest running annual sporting event. Sadee Toews throws her rock during the 52nd annual event in this 2016 file photo.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
More than 300 students are expected to take over the ice at the Kinplex during the city’s longest-running annual sporting event.
Students between Grade 3-6 can now register their team of four into the 59th Jam Pail Bonspiel.
Ice at the Kinplex will be converted into 13 curling sheets during the teacher’s convention for two days full of action.
“It’s so much fun because it’s really just milk jugs filled with frozen water,” says Lisa Kennedy, parks and recreation manager. “And then they shoot these down across the ice and it’s just these sort of rocky rolling milk jugs that they’re trying to spin and hit the button.”
Students planning to register for the tournament are asked to make a group of four and create a team name.
They are also encouraged to have fun while picking team outfits and creating a team cheer.
“They all get dressed up usually in some kind of theme that they have, whatever they think of that’s cool to them,” explains Kennedy. “It’s awesome to see how they all support each other. All the team members are always super friendly, it’s just a wonderful community event for those age groups.”
The event typically kicks off in the evening around 5 p.m. Depending on how many teams register the event may have to begin earlier.
Each team is guaranteed to play in at least three matches in a tournament-style format.
The bonspiel kicks off Feb. 21 with Grades 3 and 4 teams, and wraps up Feb. 22 with teams in Grades 5 and 6, as well as open and family teams.
To register visit medicinehat.ca/jampailbonspiel.
