Ron MacLean with The Tenors Dec. 20, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)Ron MacLean with The Tenors Dec. 20, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)
Chatham

Submissions Sought For CK's Hometown Hockey Stories

An upcoming hockey event in Chatham-Kent will provide a chance for the community to share some of its treasured stories with a national audience.

That's according to Ian Clark municipal lead for December's Rogers Hometown Hockey weekend.

The announcement was made Tuesday that Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will make a stop in Chatham for their fifth edition of Hometown Hockey.

Submissions are now officially being accepted for any local story -- regardless of its association to hockey.

"The entire event is a way to showcase our community on a grassroots and very intimate level," Clark said. "One way we're trying to do that is reaching out to all of our hockey groups, sport groups and just citizens in general, to see what stories the want to tell. What do they want Canada to look at Chatham-Kent and say 'hey, that's a great place to live.'"

Clark said there is a website for people to submit ideas about anything regarding the community. He added one of the main things he's looking for is an idea for one of the features called "My Hometown Must," where Slone partakes in an event unique to the community.

"You might remember a few years back Rick Mercer did the Thamesville Maze so something interesting like that," Clark said. "At previous events Slone's tried a bagel in Montreal or gone snowmobiling in Bathurst. We want to try to find an activity or something that represents Chatham-Kent."

According to Clark, some have been in the know about Rogers' decision to come to Chatham for about five weeks now. He said they were approached by the company with interested and after a visit, Chatham was a lock for Hometown Hockey.

"We visited different areas where we could host the festival and they just loved it," Clark said. "There was no application, there was no lobbying for this event. They reached out to us. Whether it's we're seen as a hockey town and we support or local hockey, they'll have to tell you exactly what it came down to, but this wasn't something we sought."

The event will wrap up a busy last third of the year for Chatham-Kent. The International Plowing Match will be in September followed by Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling and now Hometown Hockey in December. Clark said the municipality must be doing something right.

"I think it's a fantastic challenge to have," Clark said. "I can't quite put my finger on it other than it's the great work our community groups have done to get our name out there. To showcase Chatham-Kent as a great community to visit."

Clark said the details and locations for Hometown Hockey are still being worked out. He added once he knows more he will be sharing it with the public.

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