More than 130 curlers from across Ontario, Michigan and Ohio converged in Wallaceburg for the 39th annual Crazy Legs Bonspiel at the Sydenham Community Curling Club.
Randy Meyskens of Sarnia won the event, defeating Chris Hauschild of Barrie for the title, but event chairman Randy McNeil said the event is about far more than curling.
“It’s half bonspiel and half family reunion,” he said. “We have teams that have been coming for decades. It’s great to see people you’ve known for years get together at the end of the curling season to share some competition and some camaraderie.”
Teams attended from across Ontario, as well as teams from Detroit and Bowling Green, Ohio.
“We’ve had teams from Chicago in the past as well. The quality of American curling has really increased and we always have an American team or two in the hunt for the championship.”
He said the event is one of the largest men’s bonspiels in southwestern Ontario.
Club member Ken Murphy, who had an entry in this year’s bonspiel, founded the event in the late 1970’s.
Club President Deb Richardson said the bonspiels are an important part of keeping small town curling clubs such as Wallaceburg, Blenheim and Chatham vibrant.
“They’re strong fundraisers and give us a chance to show off our club,” she said.
This year’s season in Wallaceburg closes with the Winter Weasel bonspiel this weekend.
