Reeve George Fife presents Chapleau key to Carnival King Dan Jessup at 1939 Winter Carnival

George Fife, Marie Perpete, Dan Jessup

The weather and the crowd at "the shrine of snow sports combined for a perfect opening" to the 1939 Chapleau Winter Carnival, according to an article in the Chapleau Post.

"Bright, brazing weather made more vivid the colourful costumes of spectators and competitors," the article said, but as an aside I could only find some black and white photos.

At the official opening where Reeve George Fife, the grandfather of Robert Fife, now Ottawa Bureau Chief of The Globe and Mail, presented the key to Chapleau to 1939 Carnival King Dan Jessup, the mayor of Sudbury, everything had been closed "lock, stock and barrel" and it seemed everyone was on hand. The article noted there were 225 visitors on hand with more coming on the trains. 

Arthur Grout the general manager of the "snow show" predicted 500 visitors would be there and the carnival would show a profit of $500. This was incredible remembering that the Great Depression was just ending. 

In 1939 Chapleau was 10 years away from having highway access.

A major feature as the carnival got underway was a figure skating show. The Chapleau skaters who only had nine weeks training as there was only natural ice in the old old arena on Lorne Street were instructed by C. Baker from Fort William who had been presuaded  to take the job.

Back: Rita Payette, Shirley Matheson, Freda Depew. Front: Evelyn Sheahan, Rhonda McQuaig, Shirley Nixon

Back: Rita Payette, Shirley Matheson, Freda Depew. Front: Evelyn Sheahan, Rhonda McQuaig, Shirley Nixon

Among those skaters appearing in their first show were Frank Block, Lorne Block, Helen Morin, Juliette Morin, Charles Corks, Shirley Nixon, Freda Depew, Rhonda McCuaig, Evelyn Sheahan, Rita Payette, Selma 'Sally' Uugo, Alice Depew, Marion Morris (my aunt), Shirley Matheson,  Cecelia St. Amand and Vivian Vizena.   Another article states that 25 members of the new Chapleau Figure Skating Club were involved along with skaters from Copper Cliff and Toronto.

The article noted that the skaters were nicely attired in costumes made in Chapleau but it does not tell us who made them.

Mr. Jessup was crowned after the parade in a ceremony at the ski hill. He received his diadem and sceptre from Fred Depew, secretary of the YMCA who had been the King of the first carnival in 1937. C.J McGregor, CPR superintendent was King in 1938.

From photos it looks like everyone in Chapleau attended the carnival parade. The population was over 2,500 in 1939.

Looks like everyone in Chapleau at parade

After the coronation of the King, the selection of the Snow Queen took place. The contestants were Rita Crichton, Mae Blackburn, Angelina Riley and Violet Therrien. Rita Crichton was named the 1939 Queen,

In his remarks Mr. Jessup complimented Chapleau on its carnival commenting that a lot of hard work had made the vision of a carnival come true. 

The old old rink had been recently "rebuilt" inside and a crowd of close to 1000 people were there for carnival activities which filled it almost to capacity. 

Skiing was another major attraction and the Koski brothers, Walter and Taunor of Nemegos ran almost a dead heat in the five mile senior skiing test. Walter just beat his brother to the finish line. 

The ski hill in 1939 was located at what I call "Dr. Young's Hill" but that was not its name in 1939. There was also a toboggan slide.

In the young skiers race honours were taken by Yvon Morin in first place with his brother Romeo in second over a half mile course.

There were many other activities during the three day carnival. 

Thanks again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for kindly loaning me the Richard Brownlee papers. Happy Valentine's Day!!!!! I hope you are also enjoying the 2019 Chapleau Winter Carnival!!