Bon Soo is back: bigger and better
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Sault Ste. Marie’s much-loved Bon Soo winter carnival returns February 4 for its 60
th Anniversary celebration presented by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Over 130 events promise to bring the fun with a mix of well-known favorites like the
Polar Bear Swim, Bum Slides and some exciting new additions such as the
Sentimentalists, Polar Rush and
Passport to Unity.
Over 100 volunteers across three main locations (The Canal District, Northern Superior and Clergue Park), will make Bon Soo possible. Admission to events is by purchasing a
Bon Soo Button for $10. Buttons are on sale now at several locations throughout the city
https://bonsoo.on.ca/get-your-button/. Highlights include the following:
Saturday, January 28.
Snow Carving at
Clergue Park begins a week before the official start so teams can get creative and have fun sculpting. Sign up at
https://bonsoo.on.ca/event/snow-carving/.
Friday, February 3.
The Canal District hosts the opening ceremony
Bon Tidings with fireworks, live music, and bum slides.
Northern Superior hosts
Sno Madness over two nights with winter games and prizes for pre-registered teams. Enjoy what is sure to be a lively atmosphere at the Tap Room.
Saturday, February 4.
Bellevue Park hosts the first
Polar Bear Rush Winter Obstacle Course from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Enjoy
Best in Snow –Snow Sculptures as well as
CrokiCurl at
Clergue Park. Also, at Clergue Park is
Pony Rides from Hidden Hills Stables and
Maple Taffy Tasting from Hogan’s Homestead, both from 1– 4 p.m.
The Canal District has a full day of programming including
Bum Slides,
3-on-3 Ringette Challenge, an
Ice Maze and
Helicopter or
Tractor Rides.
In the evening try gourmet food from around the world at
Passport to Unity in
The Canal District from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Guests immerse themselves in a tasting menu featuring internationally inspired cuisine and performances from around the world.
Soo Blaster hosts
Bon Soo Comedy Night featuring Glen Foster.
The
Sault Ste. Marie Museum hosts a special
60-year exhibit, the
Bushplane Museum is offering 2-for-1 entry for the entirety of the event,
themed skate nights and daily
CrockiCurl at
Clergue Park.
The Canal District hosts
Bum Slides, a
Bon Soo Colouring Wall and an
Ice Maze.
Sunday, February 5. There’s more fun at
The Canal District with
Sault Trailblazers Snowmachine Rides. Clergue Park hosts a drop-in
Snowshoe Relay Race. The
Bushplane Museum is offering free entry after 1 p.m. to button holders and there a special screening of the movie
Frozen 2 at 2.30 p.m.
Bay Street Active Living Community Centre hosts an outdoor
4-on-4 Street Hockey Tournament for pre-registered teams.
Soo Greyhounds wear special Bon Soo Jerseys on game day at
GFL Memorial Gardens. Puck drops at 2.07 p.m. Bon Soo theme jerseys will be available for online auction following the game, at the Greyhounds website
https://soogreyhounds.com
Sunday wraps up at
The Canal District with
The Sno Ball Family Dance featuring a Children’s magician and a 60
th birthday party for Bon Soo.
Monday, February 6. Test your Northern acclimation with a series of Canadian challenges with
The Coldest Cannuck Newcomers Challenge at
Northern Superior.
The Canal District hosts
Dessert and Liquor Tasting.
Tuesday, February 7. Gather by the Fire with Thrive Tours at
Clergue Park and to share land-based teachings of Baawating.
Northern Superior hosts
EDM Sno Bath (Electronic Dance Music) with DJs Angelazura and Bobby Lawn.
The Canal District hosts
Bon Soo Paint Night, a family friendly, step by step guided way to paint your own Bon Soo inspired masterpiece
Wednesday, February 8. From 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., enjoy a special night at
Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG) and Science North’s
Indigenous Ingenuity Exhibit. The evening features an on-site knowledge-keeper, SKG Tours and Tobacco Ties featuring a feather-wrapping workshop.
Northern Superior hosts a
Fire and Ice Hot Sauce Chicken Wing Challenge (pre-registration required).
Thursday, February 9. Night Skiing and a limited-ticket shuttle bus to
Searchmont Ski Resort. The bus departs
Algoma University at 4:30 p.m. for skiing and free hot chocolate. Button holders get 50 percent off tickets and rentals.
The Canal District’s Machine Shop hosts
Bon Soo Blues Society Concert featuring The Andre Bisson Band and opening act Lindsay Pugh.
Friday, February 10. Lantern Ski at
Hiawatha Highlands, free for Bon Soo Button holders.
The Canal District hosts Bon Soo Headline Show
The Sentimentalists. This world-renowned celebrity mentalist creates a two-person mind-reading experience that has performed on America’s Got Talent and sold out shows across the United States.
Saturday, February 11. The final day with 19 events in 9 locations. All day
Snowmobile Drag Races at
Runway Park, Frozen Canoe Rides at
The Canal District’s Bum Slide from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., and arguably the most iconic Bon Soo event
The Polar Bear Swim, at the
Bushplane Museum with musical guest the Hustle Brothers. Registration at noon, jumping begins at 2 p.m. weather permitting.
Bon Soo 2023 draws to a close with
Bon Voyage, a
Queen Street Party from East Street to Spring Street. Say goodbye to Mr. Bon Soo and enjoy a beer garden, food stops, illusionist Ryan MacFarling, street hockey, road curling, live music, closing fireworks and more including the
2023 Snow Sculpture's Awards.
Sponsors who have made Bon Soo 2023 possible include Big title Sponsor
OLG, Premier Sponsor
Tenaris, Signature Sponsors
The Canal District and
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie,
Village Media,
Algoma University,
TD Bank, Soo Mill and
Odd Job Jacks.
For more information including how to purchase a Bon Soo button, as well individual pricing, and times for each event visit
https://bonsoo.on.ca/events/.