FRANK GALE
THE WESTERN STAR
KIPPENS, N.L. — Rosemary Ryan believes there are many ingredients leading to the continued success of the small-town carnival with the big-town feel in Kippens.
It’s a recipe she has been using since she started coordinating the Kippens Carnival Committee more than 20 years ago.
Cooking up a great winter celebration includes organizing a wide variety of family-oriented activities, most of which are free with a carnival button purchase, and lots of giveaways and snacks for those who take part.
"In this way, everyone is a winner — it’s very inclusive,” Ryan said.
The menu seems to work as most carnival events in the town of 2,002 residents draw a full house. Often, noted Ryan, people travel there from many other communities as the carnival is open to everyone.
Only a carnival button is needed, and the town has 1,000 for sale.
In the past, the carnival's snowshoeing event was held at Whaleback Nordic Ski Club in neighbouring Stephenville. This year, it will be held on the town's own recreation trails. There’s also the addition of an outdoor skating rink in town available for use during carnival.
Through an age-friendly government grant, Ryan's committee was able to pick up extra snowshoes and construct the skating rink with help from the volunteer fire department.
Ryan emphasized she doesn’t carry off the carnival alone.
“Kippens carnival has been fortunate to have many long-term volunteers who help out,” she said.
Ryan has kept at it for so long because she finds it rewarding to see people, from kids to seniors and everyone in between, having fun.
“My life is about children. It’s fun getting them outdoors, seeing the excitement in their faces when they’re participating in all the outside activities,” she said.
Kelly Jesso said Kippens is a great little town in which to live, with all kinds of community activities — especially during winter carnival.
She and her husband Bradley Jesso want their four boys: Cole, 10; Logan, eight; Liam, six; and Lachlan, three; to enjoy all the things carnival offers, basically in their backyard.
That’s why every year, to feel a sense of community, they take in whatever’s on the go.
“Our boys see people, old and young, who are familiar to them during various community activities in the Kippens Summer Recreation Program to Canada Day celebrations to winter carnival,” Jesso said.
She said the boys usually attend the sock hop, love the sled races, the kid’s bingo and the free swim. They wouldn’t miss the free skate and movie on Sunday and their mom encourages them to attend it all.
“It’s a tradition now and a really great weekend, especially for families with young children," Jesso said.
The slogan for this year's carnival, “Come out and join us for fun-a-plenty at Kippens Carnival 2020", was submitted by Kaitlyn Jackman, a Grade 2 student at Stephenville Primary.
The carnival runs this weekend.
