It all began at the turn of the last century. Queen Victoria was on the throne and Wilfred Laurier was Prime Minister.
The village of Virden had a population of 900, the Virden Curling Club was 10 years old, and the very first Virden Men’s Bonspiel was held.
The event has been going strong ever since and, as usual, attracted a huge turnout of curlers and spectators to last week’s competition.
Jay Kinnaird of the curling club says 31 rinks played with a total of 124 curlers – most of them from Virden but also from Kenton, Elkhorn, Souris, Hamiota, Carberry, Maryfield, Brandon and Moosomin - to participate in this historic, 120th annual bonspiel.
Kinnaird says it’s an important fundraiser for the club, with over 60 local business sponsors this year. Their support “allows us to provide a top notch prime rib meal at the banquet and fantastic prizes for the top 16 rinks.”
The bonspiel ran from Tuesday March 12 to Sunday, March 15.
Congratulations to the Virden Curling Club on 120 years of sportsmanship, friendly competition and fun!
