TOGO - Last Sunday at the Togo Centennial Arena, a Figure Skating Carnival was hosted for the first time since COVID-19. With eight figure skating presentations occurring, the carnival had the arena packed with residents of Togo and neighbouring towns and villages to see the figure skaters perform.
The carnival began with O Canada sung by Kate Erhardt, as flagbearers Christian Friesen, Levi Erhardt, and Zachary Burback skated throughout the arena.
This was then followed by two young skaters, Amara and Ryker Barrowman, skating with their coach, Christine Friesen, to the song Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. Despite their tumbles and falls, the young skaters were met with major applause and support from the rink.
Next was Hudson Lenderbeck and Westyn Mitchell’s figure skate performance to Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi where they skated through and around the rink, performing spins and side steps in co-ordination with the song while dressed in denim jackets similar to that of Bon Jovi.
This was followed by Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, for Lylac and Vitaliy Chernoff, Tenley Leise, and Bridgette Lenderbeck’s figure skating performance, which included sparkly dresses and co-ordinated spins between dance partners.
Meredith Burback and Lucas Stone skated in Blue Morph suits and red headbands to Carl Douglas’ Kung Fu Fighting. With choreographed Kung Fu chops on one another and synchronized spins, the performance was met with joyous applause.
The final music-orientated performance was Mamma Mia by ABBA, skated by Willem, Stefanie, Phoebe, and William Wilkinson. The Wilkinson family has moved to the RM of Cote from South Africa. The family’s performance was met with great applause when they came to the end and bowed to the audience. Willem and William were costumed with denim jackets and silver chain necklaces, while Stepfanie and Phoebe wore black jumpsuits and colourful tutus.
After the music-orientated performances had been completed, hockey skills coach Levi Erhardt had his students and hockey members demonstrate their skills on the ice with the hockey players carrying pucks and maneuvering around wooden obstacles. After this, the players bowed, and all the performers came out and took an opportunity to pose for photographs.
The carnival went well with the performances and raffles, according to organizers. The event also made a table of snacks available after the performances with cake, cookies, and sweets of all kinds available.
Amanda Burback chair of the president of the Togo Figure skating club said, “It's the first time we've had a carnival since COVID hit, so just to be able to have this is awesome.”
