Sixth annual Pond Hockey Festival a success

It was a smaller affair than last year, but according to organizers, the sixth annual Pond Hockey Festival on the Rocks, which happened over the weekend, was a great success.

“We've got 75 teams this year, which I think is great,” said festival chair Barb Nott.

Last year, 95 teams participated in the festival, which pits hockey players of all ages and skill levels against each other on the outdoor ice sheets of Ramsey Lake.

Teams ranged from the Pewee level to corporate teams of workplace colleagues.

The event was moved from its longtime location on Ramsey Lake, near Science North, to the Sudbury Boat and Canoe Club, at another end of the lake.

Nott said the ice was more stable and even there.

To accommodate the crowds and participants, the festival also organized a free shuttle service for the first time.

Parking was limited at the location, and the shuttle allowed people to park at the more spacious parking lot at York Street and Paris Street.

In addition to pond hockey, children were able to try out ice fishing, and the Remax air balloon offered visitors a more vertical view of the event.

Sunday, the festival awarded 10 trophies for the best teams in each category.