It was quite the accomplishment to hoist a 22-foot-long turtle to Boissevain in 1974! 

One can only imagine what folks thought when they saw the giant painted turtle on the flat-deck trailer with its orange belly facing straight up, feet sprawled, and a giant smile on its big green face as the truck pulled into town!

That was July 16th fifty years ago!

This summer Boissevain's loveable mascot, Tommy the Turtle turns 50, and one group that's taking full advantage of this giant birthday party is the local Build-a-Rink committee to raise funds for the next large build project, Boissevain's new arena.

Build--a-Rink committee member, Jenna Goodheart says they've hosted various fundraisers over the past 2 years and are looking forward to hosting a number of events the weekend of Tommy's 50th SHELLABRATION, July 12-14 across town.

The Boissevain arena has served its community extremely well over the past sixty or so years and its soon time for a rebuild. 

"We're just trying to keep the momentum going although we still know there are still items being worked on behind the scenes," explains Goodheart.  "But our focus is really to continue raising funds. It's still serving our needs, but it's not something that can sustain for another 50 years.  So, it's good to start the conversation and the planning now."

"We'll need a new rink eventually and so we have to be prepared for when that day comes," she adds.

The SHELLABRATION event is in coordination with Tommy turning 50, and to make as big a SPLASH as the Turtle Derby races that took place every summer for 30 years in downtown Boissevain from 1971 to 2001.

"I don't want to compare it to the turtle derby but we're hoping to bring a lot of similar things to that weekend!"

From live concerts to baseball to a community dance party to graduation reunions, there are a lot of different events for the entire family to come and join in on the birthday fun - a truly TUR-iffic time for everyone!

"We're hopeful to bring a lot of people back to the community for the weekend," adds Goodheart.

Volunteers are needed for a few of the events hosted by this committee, including the Corn-hole Tournament and the Saturday night social.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, please call Crystal at 204-305-0438

Please see the poster below for the events that are hosted by the Build-a-Rink committee.  All funds raised at these events will go towards the building of the new arena.

Please listen to more about the SHELLABRATION with Jenna Goodheart below!

(Photo credit below Ivan Strain)

Boissevain Build A Rink | Facebook