PORT HARDY — It may be a premier summer weekend in Port Hardy, but don’t expect to see people spending Filomi Days lounging around on patio furniture.
Among the many activities included in the town’s annual summer celebration are a plethora of sports activities that will keep the North Island’s weekend warriors hitting, catching, shooting, kicking, spiking, reeling, driving and lifting.
Spectators are encouraged to check out the action. A sampler of the activities:
Slo-pitch tourney
The annual slo-pitch tournament kicks off tonight at Beaver Harbour Park, with 13 teams battling for a spot in Sunday’s 12:30 p.m. A final. Games will be played tonight starting at 6:30 p.m., Friday beginning at 6 p.m., and with sessions Saturday from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-5:30 p.m. Play beings 8 a.m. Sunday, with the B and C finals set for 11 a.m.
Fishing derby
The annual Filomi Days Fishing Derby runs Friday through Sunday from the Marina at I.V.’s Quarterdeck Inn. Tickets are $20 and numerous prizes will be handed out during an awards ceremony Sunday afternoon in Carrot Park. Weigh-ins take place daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the marina dock. Derby tickets available at the marina office, Jim’s Hardy Sports and the North Island Gazette.
Soccer tournament
Port Hardy’s Tsakis F.C. is hosting a 7-a-side tournament for men’s and women’s teams Friday through Sunday at Port Hardy Secondary School’s field. Five women’s teams and nine men’s teams, as well as a three-team field of U-7 youngsters, are signed up for play beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and at 8 a.m. Saturday. Sunday’s finals participants will be determined by results the first two days.
Brian Burns Street Hockey
The street hockey returns to Hastings Street after a one-year absence, providing ball hockey competition across several divisions on two portable rinks. Play begins Saturday morning and continues throughout the day, with divisional trophies handed out at the end of the afternoon.
Stock car racing
After a low-speed cruise in the Filomi Days Parade, local stock car drivers will retire to Tri-Port Speedway for an evening of racing beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets just $5; full concession will be operating and door prizes awarded.
3-on-3 volleyball
Funtastic Sports hosts the outdoor competition Saturday from 12:30-6 p.m. at Carrot Park, near the main entertainment stage.
Strong man competition
The Filomi Days strong man competition returnw to Carrot Park beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. If lifting, pushing, throwing and towing bulky objects is your thing, pop down to take part or check out the action.
Strong women invited, as well.
Kids' stuff
Several events specific to the younger set are also on tap as part of the Filomi Days fun.
The annual Soap Box Derby, sponsored by Before and After Renos, takes place on the Main Street hill in front of C&N Backpackers beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the Filomi Days Kids' Fishing Derby is set for 8 a.m.-noon at Seagate Wharf.
Largest boys and girls fish and many other prizes will be on tap.
General fun, games and hilarity in a non-competitive format is available both days with Kids' Fest in the Park, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Carrot Park.