The freezing and bitter winds of Saturday gave way to moderate and mild temperatures on Sunday to province visitors to Orillia’s Winter Carnival a extreme contrast in winter weather.
However the cold could not keep the smiles off the faces of organizers of this years event who are thrilled with the number of people who braved the weather Saturday to take in the annual celebration of Winter.
Carnival Vice President Kelly Smith was thrilled with the number of people who turned out to watch and take part in Sundays popular Polar Bear dip into the chilly waters of Lake Couchiching.
More than 100 people plunged into the water to help raise money for two local Orillia charities, the Orillia Common Roof Organization and the Couchiching Jubilee House.
A total of 12 thosuand dollars was raised by the dip.
Meanwhile, money generated by the sale of 2 dollar winter carnival buttons will be re invested into the Carnival and used to help plan and put on next years event.
Smith says this years carnival was even more of a family event than in the past with not just families composed of young and old taking part but a lot of the family pets were there as well.
