One of the highlights of the winter in the community of Longlac is the Annual Moosecalac Weekend. Moosecalac is by all accounts the annual Winter Carnival and is held on the family day weekend in February each year. Moosecalac has been a fixture on the social calendar in Longlac for 30 plus years and the Hockey tournament has been a major part of Moosecalac for the past 16 years. The purpose of the event, positioned during the middle of our winter, is to bring the entire community out for a weekend of fun and to break up the winter season.
In response to our request for some history on the origins of the word Moosecalac we have discovered that back the mid-seventies the town recreations department wanted to establish a winter carnival. The community of Caramat was also involved as the two communities were always collaborating on local activities. After many meetings those involved created our first Winter Carnival. When it came to naming the event it was decided that the name should have some reference to Moose. Since the event was a collaboration between Caramat and Longlac the event was basically Moose-Caramat-Longlac which was shortened to Moosecalac.
Although many activities begin on Thursday night, the official opening is held on Friday night with the Annual French Canadian supper. “Le Club de Francophone de Longlac” and “Le Filles d’Isabella” combine to offer a scrumptious feast of all your favorites. The Menu includes Tourtiere, Homemade Beans, Ragout, Pea Soup, and many other favorites. The meal is topped off with a “petite” slice of “Tarte au Sucre” (Sugar Pie). You won’t find a better serving of down-home, feel-good food, made just like your Grandmother made it, anywhere.
The highlight of the weekend is the Annual Hockey Tournament. The “All Timers” is so named because the organizers encourage anyone and everyone to participate. There are five divisions including Men’s Competitive, Men’s Semi-Competitive, Men’s Recreational, and Ladies. The tournament attracts over 24 teams each year. It is designed to be a fun event for players of all ages and abilities. The number of father/son and mother/daughter combinations as well as family teams increases each year. We have had grandparents, sons and daughters, and grandchildren all playing on the same team. The highlight of the tournament action is the annual Grudge match between the Flabby Frenchmen and The Newfie Bullets. This winner-take-all match is an intense battle between good friends. On the line is nothing but bragging rights and of course our solid wood Stanley Cup replica. We are exactly sure what the series stands at but it is close. The only thing that matters is who holds the trophy. In 2011 the Newfie Bullets took the title with a 4 - 1 victory.
All proceeds from Moosecalac have been donated to charity since we started in 1995. In the past 6 years alone we have donated over $140,000 to families of sick kids in our community as well many other organizations within Greenstone including Minor Hockey, curling, community clubs, etc. In 2011 we partnered with the municipality, a local committe and Trillium Ontario to secure funding for a skate board park in Longlac. Over the years, the event has also contributed to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Canadian Cancer Society, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Canadian Diabetes Association.
Other events during the weekend include a junior curling bonspiel, family fun night (outdoors), cross country skiing, and sno-machine races. It truly is a wonderful event that thrives on the vibrant community spirit we have in Longlac and Greenstone.
Your 2012 Moosecalac Committee is Natalie Piche, Angele Serre, Marlene Sarmiento, Brent Henley, Rob Kurish, Victor Loisel, and Tim Griffin.
For more information on Moosecalac, or if you would like to help out with the event, contact:
Tim Griffin at 854-6752