Did you know the original slogan of carnival was “Have a Snowball of a Time” in 1979? Tommy Dunphy won a contest in 1980 with his slogan “Smile There’s a Reason It’s Carnival Season” which has been used every year since.
Pasadena Winter Carnival began in 1978 with the Pasadena Lions Club taking the lead. The following year the Town of Pasadena assumed the responsibility of the annual winter event. This celebration of winter brings together the people of the community through competitive events such as snowman building and house decorating contests, camaraderie events like the Not-So-Newlywed Game and the ever-popular Bingo nights and fellowship events like the many, many, many meals to share!
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Chairpersons
Thank you to the many volunteers who plan, coordinate and deliver this wonderful time and the sponsors, local business and residents who support the event.
The carnival has been led by the following people:
- 1979 Lenora VanDusen
- 1980 Jerry Whelan
- 1981 Malcolm Turner and Heather Nason
- 1982 Jean Powers-Spence
- 1983 Pat Muzzeral
- 1984 Jean Powers-Spence
- 1985 Jean Powers-Spence
- 1986 Brian Lake
- 1987 Brian Lake
- 1988 Clayton French
- 1989 Nellie Osmond
- 1990 Nellie Osmond and Mike Ryan
- 1991 Nellie Osmond and Mike Ryan
- 1992 Derek Simmons
- 1993 Malcolm Turner
- 1994 Maxine Osmond
- 1995 Judy Mercer
- 1996 Judy Mercer
- 1997 Juanita Pennell
- 1998 Victor May
- 1999 Beverly Ann Bonnell
- 2000 Janice Davis
- 2001 Victor May
- 2002 Victor May
- 2003 Marie Whitehorne
- 2004 Darren Gardner
- 2005 Darren Gardner
- 2006 Gary Bishop
- 2007 Gary Bishop
- 2008 Gary Bishop
- 2009 Gary Bishop
- 2010 Bruce Armstrong
- 2011 Bruce Armstrong
- 2012 Michele Young
- 2013 Michele Young
- 2014 Kelly Raymond
- 2015 Kelly Raymond
- 2016 Gary Bishop
Little Miss Winter Carnival
The Little Miss Winter Carnival contest occurred from 1978 – 1982.
The title went to:
- 1978 Sandra Burden
- 1979 Kimberly French
- 1980 Shannon Conway
- 1981 Lisa Martin
- 1982 Cindy Fisher
Ambassadors
2016 Ambassadors – Justin Lannon, Jeanette Murley and Isabella Dennis
A contest is held each year at the high school where young people display their talent, public speaking skills and carnival spirit.
The Ambassador scarf went to:
- 1984 Ken Bowen and Terri Hancock
- 1985 Paul Langdon and Terri Hancock
- 1986 Richard Wheeler and Jennifer Gulliver
- 1987 Glen Rowe and Doreen Antle
- 1988 Jim Basha and Paulette Langdon
- 1989 Reggie Bennett and Dawn Mercer
- 1990 Darren Langdon and Leanna McCarthy
- 1991 Garland Smith and Deanna Gulliver
- 1992 Bill Vardy and Tina Wagg
- 1993 Mark Ellsworth and Beverly Simmons
- 1994 Darren Gardner and Julie Thompson
- 1995 Chris King and Janine Osmond
- 1996 Adam Taylor and Maria Brake
- 1997 Ryan Butler and Stephanie Simmons
- 1998 Chris Caines and Rhonda LeBoubon
- 1999 Alan Taylor and Wendy Wheaton
- 2000 Fraser Turner and Kara Penney
- 2001 Adam Pike and Julie Burt
- 2002 Daniel Smith and Ashley Butt
- 2003 Christopher Wilcott and Jayme Lee Butler
- 2004 Adam Hollett and Anna Brazil
- 2005 Jonathan Busse and Heather Bennett
- 2006 Dion Ward and Katelyn Pike
- 2007 Adam Legge and Katie Evans
- 2008 Shane Belbin and Meghan Smith
- 2009 Justin Menchions and Chelsea Smith
- 2010 Jamie Wicks and Amy Cull
- 2011 Brandon Hillier and Marissa Lawrence
- 2012 Dylan Walsh and Jessica Butt
- 2013 Jennifer Bennett and Heather Spicer
- 2014 Denika Kelly and Heather Wiseman
- 2015 Jack Bishop and Shelby Pike
- 2016 Justin Lannon, Jeanette Murley and Isabella Dennis
Patrons
In 1986, the first Patron was chosen for Winter Carnival.
- 1986 Bill Pardy
- 1987 Nelson Bennett
- 1988 Gerald and Beth Fisher
- 1989 Gerald and Jessie Wight
- 1990 Joe Gulliver
- 1991 Mary Hickey
- 1992 Bob and Edith Skinner
- 1993 Gerry and Evelyn Mercer
- 1994 Dan and Gerianne Van Vugt
- 1995 Jim and Bealuh Smith
- 1996 Tom Fitzgerald and Frank Bonnell
- 1997 Clayton and Joan French
- 1998 Phoebe Bonnell
- 1999 Eric and Joan Bowen
- 2000 Bob and Judy Mercer
- 2001 Russell and Bride Pike
- 2002 Gary and Elaine Bishop
- 2003 Bill and Bonnie Bonnell
- 2004 Elias and Frances Wheeler
- 2005 Ralph and Joyce Ellsworth
- 2006 Jim and Mary Pennell
- 2007 Dean and Jeanette Decker
- 2008 Genevieve Moss
- 2009 Ruth Legge
- 2010 Madge Rolls
- 2011 Vina Pieroway
- 2012 Eileen Ryan
- 2013 Aiden George
- 2014 Olive and Lloyd Coish
- 2015 Gemma Walsh and Carol Parsons
- 2016 Colleen Harris
Elias Wheeler was responsible for making our awesome mascot over 30 years ago!
Happy
Have you ever wondered where Happy got his name? In 1981, Tracey Fradsham entered a contest with the Pasadena Library Board to name the Pasadena Winter Carnival Mascot and her choice of Happy was selected! Happy originally smoked a pipe but went smoke-free in 1992.
Happy can be spotted all throughout Carnival with two of his biggest events being the Sing-a-Long at Pasadena Library and his Birthday Bash at Pasadena Elementary.
The Victor May Memorial Award
The Victor May Memorial Award is awarded annually to a member (or members) of the general public selected by the Carnival Committee at the end of each year’s Winter Carnival. It is awarded to the person (or persons) who in the opinion of the committee, like Victor, through their participation in events and endless enthusiasm, demonstrate true Winter Carnival Spirit. Like the person after which it is named, this award is held in high esteem by the Carnival Committee.
Recipients are:
- 2004 Bob and Judy Mercer
- 2005 Genevieve Moss
- 2006 Phoebe Bonnell
- 2007 Jim and Mary Pennell
- 2008 Kevin Doyle and Betty Gillard
- 2009 Rosalind Richardson
- 2010 Doug and Olive Beattie
- 2011 Carol Parsons
- 2012 Harvey and Ruth Martin
- 2013 Danny, Sabrina and Lily Brock
- 2014 Joyce Pittman and family
- 2015 Susan and Chris King and family
Music
Music is an important part of carnival. The Pasadena Winter Carnival Song was composed by Brother G.C. Blackmore in 1981.
Smile, there’s a reason, it’s Carnival Season again
Let’s see you smile!
Come sing a song with us and bring along an old friend
You’re welcome
When you see flurries, forget all those worries,
Winter hides them all,
Softly falling snow, covers every woe
You can go skating, ski-dooing
and even snowshoeing for thrills
Don’t mind those spills!
A little sightseeing
and cross-country skiing down hills,
Down those hills!
You’ll find there’s fun for one and all
At Winter Carnival
Pasadena Style
Just catch the Carnival Spirit
Be happy and share it today.
You’ll find you really can live it
But just when you give it away…
….repeat first two verses!
I Remember When…
I remember the St. David’s Anglican Church that burnt in the 1980s.
- I remember when I was a little girl visiting my family who lived in Pasadena and having lots of fun.
- Awesome beach. We would love to move here someday.
- I remember when King/Bonia were still a lovely forest.
- I remember picking strawberries at Mr. Earle’s strawberry field.
I remember when we used to go swimming at “concrete”.
- My greatest memory of Pasadena is where I have my trailer (Pine Ridge). Love it!
I remember working on the Winter Carnival Committee.
I remember having fun at the Strawberry Festival.
I remember swimming on Pasadena Beach and collecting pretty rocks.
I remember Sunday drives to South Brook Park.
I remember Pasadena Beach in the summer.
I remember going to the Strawberry Festival.
- I remember when me and my buddies used to go to the Hi-Way Diner ,which played mostly country on the jukebox ,and cue up Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper songs. The server […]
I remember my white go go boots dancing in the dance hall in South Brook Park.
I remember the 25 cents for a movie, pop and chips. Remember Mrs. Mitchell’s money purse, the black one with the tie string.
I always remember sneaking into Maxwells & playing in their playground when I was young
The chip stand that Allen French had. It was across from Brennan’s store, across the TCH. Of course Brennan’s store was not there at that time. Those fries were the best.
Favourite Date Activity? Skating! Swimming at the beach! Dinner and a movie courtesy of The Hiway Diner and Mitchells!
