Canadian Country Music artists Adam Gregory (left) , Sean Hogan, Duane Steele, and Darlene Tuleta threw the first rocks of the season at Melfort's Crokicurl rink. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Crokicurl kick-off

Crokicurl rink opens in Melfort ahead of Canadian Country Christmas Tour Concert

Nov 30, 2019 | 12:35 PM

The crokicurl rink in Melfort is officially open to the public for the season.

The kick-off at Memorial Garden on Friday afternoon included the unveiling of the new crokicurl rocks.

Recreation Programmer with the city, Shannon Marshall, said it was great to have some special guests on hand to throw the first rocks.

“The artists from the Canadian Country Christmas Tour concert – Adam Gregory, Sean Hogan, Duane Steele, Darlene Tuleta – we just want to thank them so much for joining us, we couldn’t be happier with their presence,” Marshall said.

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Award winning singer/songwriter Sean Hogan told northeastNOW that it was special to be part of the opening while they were in town.

“This is a fantastic town. We have been here before, including last year,” Hogan said. “On top of helping out some charities, we got to try out crokicurl and it was a blast and something we don’t typically get to do.”

The winter sport that combines the game of Crokinole and curling was new to all of the artists.

The proceeds from the show Friday evening went to the North East SPCA and North East Outreach and Support Services(NEOSS).

Hogan said the tour, that is in it’s 16th year, is just all about giving back to the communities they visit and providing family friendly entertainment.

Canadian Country artists invited the children in the audience to play percussion during the Christmas set of the show. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW staff)

Along with the opening of the Crokicurl rink and the concert, Melfort was abuzz with Black Friday sales at participating businesses as well as the Melfort Mustangs teddy bear toss game.

“It just couldn’t be a better day and such a good turnout considering all of that,” Marshall said.

The first year of Crokicurl used wooden rocks but it was evident that new ones were needed.

“We knew we needed something more durable and so we came across the idea for the new ones online and got the boys in community services to make them,” Marshall said. “They give a nod to another great Canadian winter sport – hockey, because they are made of hockey pucks.”

The new Crokicurl rocks made out of hockey pucks. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW staff)

The rink will run on the same hours as the Northern Lights Palace pool, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Special hours can also be lined up by contacting Marshall at the pool.

“It’s great for something to do when family is in town, for staff parties, we welcome all of that, ” Marshall said.

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angie.rolheiser

On Twitter: Angie_Rolheiser