By Lisa Carolin
One week late thanks to a weather-related postponement, Chelsea was host to the city’s first Curling Fest on Saturday, Feb.17 in the Chelsea Lanes parking lot.
Following a good turnout for Learn to Curl on Friday, Feb.16, the Curling Fest began at 9 a.m. Saturday. As the crowd grew, the temperature worked its way into the 30s and there was even some sun.
“This is really something,” said Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Monica Monsma, feeling some relief after all the time and effort she put in to helping to organize the event.
John Hanifan, Chelsea city manager and curling enthusiast, spent most of the day out on the ice.
“It’s easy to have a good time, but hard to master,” he said about the sport that he’s been involved with for five years. “This is a grass roots effort. One goal is to make this a staple on the calendar in Chelsea and to continue the momentum.”
Teams ranged from complete novices to some experienced curlers. It was Chelsea resident Jacquelyn Bullerman and her team’s curling debut.
“We love watching curling on the Olympics and want to try it,” said Bullerman. Her team of four included her husband, Miron Hill. “We’re doing it for kicks and giggles!”
The team “Betty Curl Up and Die” from Ann Arbor, included novices like Christine Minderovic, who said, “We’re all crazy but glad to be here. They’ve done so much work for this.”
Her teammate, Pat King, originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, had experience playing in a curling league.
“This is my first time playing outside, and it’s a different kind of game,” said King. “They use a 20-pound cement rock instead of a 40-pound granite one, a smaller rink, and you can push the rock with the broom.”
Corey Davis from Grass Lake helped set up equipment for a corn hole tournament adjacent to the curling rinks.
“It’s a backyard game anybody can play in any kind of weather,” he said.
Nearby, a fire pit burned through the day and provided a warm place to gather. A big tent included booths from sponsors and vendors with a selection of foods, baked goods, Girl Scout cookies, ice cream, and beer.
The tournament, sponsored by Rick Taylor Real Estate, was scheduled to continue on Sunday, Feb. 18. Monsma said she predicts the Curling Fest will become an annual event.
