(15 photos) Troll lures kids under the bridge

How do you lure hundreds of Sault kids and their parents to a fundraising picnic?

If you're April Lovelace (shown), special events coordinator for United Way Sault Ste. Marie, it's simple.

You just set up all your picnic stuff under the International Bridge during the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Bridge Walk.

And just as those hundreds of tired bridge-walkers are nearing the end of their trek, you hit them with wafting scents of popcorn and candy floss and all the other yummy odours they associate with picnics.

The first Old Tyme Picnic by the United Way was a busy success yesterday.

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"The Steelworkers inflatable carnival is here and there are a couple of United Way's member agencies helping out," said bridge-troll-for-a-day Lovelace.

"We've got an antique car display, quilts, carnival games, prizes and contests," Lovelace told SooToday,com. Behind her in our photo, you can see some of the quilts offered for sale.

Dozens of volunteers from Katimavik and the United Way, as well as United Way associations such as Boy Scouts of Canada and St. John's Ambulance were on hand to make the day safe and fun for everyone.

Where's Boomer?

Parks Canada sent its mascot, The-Beaver-Formerly-Known-As-Boomer-Now-Renamed-Touki, over to check out the pie-eating contests.

Visitors also enjoyed tours of displays in the administrative building at St. Mary's Paper and the locks.

Bogelio Garcia, from Melaque, Mexico, dropped by to take a look at the antique cars with his sister-in-law Claire.

"I am in town for the marriage of my nephew," said Garcia (shown in photo 10 of gallery) through translation by Claire. "I like everything about Sault Ste. Marie, especially how friendly the people are."

Jack Purvis's pride and joy

Jack Purvis, of Purvis Marine came out with his pride and joy, an antique Stanley Steamer. (Photo 14 in the gallery).

Dozens of sticks of face paint were used up to make little dalmations, kitties and bug-cheeked children young and old.

"We got together with the people over at the [Sault Ste. Marie] Chamber of Commerce and planned it with them," said Lovelace.

Don Ferguson, communications officer for the Sault Chamber, said it was nice to have something interesting for participants of this year's annual bridge walk to do when they finish the walk.

"Feedback has been phenomenal," said Ferguson.

88-year-old walker

Ferguson also said that the range in age of participants was significant this year.

"I saw people pushing baby carriages," Ferguson said. "I also had the opportunity to talk with one American guest following the walk who was 88 years old."

The Chamber has already started planning next year's bridge walk and it's going to be special, he said.

"Next year we're hoping to have something big for our 20th anniversary."