NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – Pictou County curling rinks will be rocking this weekend when the 47th annual Ship Hector Bonspiel takes place Jan. 25 to 27.
There are 13 local teams taking part: five from Westville, four from Bluenose, one from Stellarton and three from New Caledonia. The rest of the teams come from all over Nova Scotia.
“In previous years, we have had teams from Hollywood, California, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Saskatchewan, to name some of them, which makes it an international event,” said Alan Graham, one of the volunteers who help organize the Ship Hector Bonspiel.
He expects 40 teams will be taking part this year, unless there are some last-minute additions.
“We could handle up to 56 teams, but there’s only 40 teams in it this year. We’ll get older teams, younger teams and everything in between,” Graham stated, adding that in past years, junior teams have also showed up to compete.
The cost to enter is $200 per team and there are 10 divisions teams can compete in. The overall winner will make $1,000.
With games played at all four curling rinks in the county, the bonspiel got its start in 1973, to mark the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Ship Hector dropping off Scottish settlers at what would be known as New Scotland.
It has since become one of the largest and most popular cashspiels in Nova Scotia.
This year, it is the Bluenose Curling Club’s turn to host.
“Many of the teams return year after year after year,” said Graham. “But we also get some new ones. It’s always been very popular.”
The curling will get underway on Friday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at all four Pictou County rinks.