OTMP Karoke Contest Inspires Fort William's Singing Fur Traders
For most folks, autumn plowing matches around Ontario usually conjures the requisite image of tractors and furrows, and crops and critters.
But karaoke fur traders?
Such was scene at the recent Slate River Plowmen's Association Annual Fall Plowing Match held just outside of Thunder Bay.
This year's event was noteworthy for some illustrious milestones. The Association was celebrating its 75th anniversary, as well as having the distinction of hosting the 2007 Canadian Plowing Match championships.
However, it was the ‘No Place Like Ontario' karaoke contest that proved to be an unlikely highlight. Sponsored by OTMP, would-be warblers including a quintet of enthusiastic fur traders from Fort William Historical Park, were invited to take a shot at belting out the new Ontario promo tune, "There's No Place like This" on-camera for an online video competition.
Clad variously as voyageurs and aboriginals, Fort staffers Matt Roy, Elliott Cromarty, Dave Godon, Pat Carr and Andrew Kemp gave it the ol' college try crooning away just for fun with a little blowing kiss and humble bows tossed in for good measure.
They have even managed to garner over 100 votes on the competition website. Despite their engaging effort, they currently sit light years behind the leaders, so our boys needn't worry about moving up to Canadian Idol glory.
On the fields, the Fort's oxen, Lyon and Bright, also attracted attention, putting on demonstrations of period plowing. Their appearance drew keen interest for agriculture buffs, as oxen teams are becoming an increasingly rare commodity on Ontario farms today.
Costumed Fort staff were also promoting winter programs including artisan workshops and sleigh rides. Other aspects of the Fort's farm program were on display including period yokes, ploughs and equipment as well as the heritage garden. Games, crafts and a ‘mystery object' contest attracted hands-on interest from patrons.
OTMP camera crews have been busily traversing the province at a plethora of events and their work shows on the website. Karaoke buffs can take a gander at our singing troubadors by visiting http://www.memelabs.com/ontariotourism/. Voting ends October 15th. Prizes include an outdoors trip for four in Northern Ontario, a winter getaway package in rural Ontario and an urban adventure in downtown Toronto.