The Choklit Moose still has a place in the hearts of city residents.
The mascot from the Thunder Bay hosted 1981 Canada Summer Games was the featured attraction at Sunday’s Winter Funday at the outdoor rink on Prince Arthur’s Landing.
Meghan Shanks, recreation and culture programmer with the city of Thunder Bay coordinated the event and donned the costume to skate laps around the marina
With the next Winter Olympics a little more than a month away, an appearance by the endearing mascot both generates both national spirit and a history lesson for the city.
“It’s very sentimental to Thunder Bay and we can inform the public so we don’t forget why the Canada Games Complex was built,” Shanks said.
“I think it’s very specific to Northern Ontario and they did a really great at job representing where we are.”
Skaters took to the ice braving a wind chill warning that made it feel like - 35C outside.
Even though the children on the ice weren’t yet born at the time of the games, they still enjoyed interacting with the mascot.
“The kids are certainly enjoying playing tag and getting hugs and high-fives,” Shanks said.
It wasn’t only the kids that enjoyed seeing the Choklit Moose on the ice.
Anna-Marie Dennhardt joined her boyfriend Sid Czinkota for a leisurely Sunday afternoon skate at the waterfront without being aware of the mascot’s appearance and seeing it brought back memories.
She was a dancer at the 1981 Canada Summer Games and the opportunity allowed her to reflect on her experiences.
“It made people laugh interacting with the crowd, and singing and dancing. It was a lot of fun,” Dennhardt said.
Winter Fundays are taking place at Prince Arthur’s Landing every Sunday until March. Next week will see an opportunity to toboggan on a snow hill that will be constructed in the festival area of the park.
