Our annual end-of-season skating show proves to be the highlight of the year for both skaters and family.

This Year's Show

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Sign up forms available here soon.

Download a PDF of this information click here.

The Carnival this year is on Saturday April 4, 2009 and we will again be having two shows, one at 1 p.m. and one at 7 p.m.  Although Carnival is months away our Carnival Committee and coaches are already working hard at organizing, to ensure that this years event is the best one ever. This letter is a reminder to our returning members and an explanation for those of you who are going to be involved this year for the first time. 

Acton Skating Club prides itself on being one of the only small skating clubs, who still puts on an annual ice show.  This is truly the hi-light of the skater’s year. It is an opportunity for all of our skaters from the Tiny Tots to the Seniors to show what they can do.  This event takes a lot of planning, organization and VOLUNTEERS, to make it successful.

Attached is a form, which needs to be filled out and returned to the coaches.  Please fill out a separate form for each child and indicate at the top whether they will participate or not.  This will help us to make sure that we have everyone counted.  This form must be handed in no later than January 15, 2009.  With this form a $25.00 costume deposit is required.  This cheque can be post-dated to April 4, 2009 and will be returned to you when your child’s costume is handed in at the end of the evening show.

As well this package includes a volunteer sign up.  Please review the following pages for a brief description of what each job entails.  EVERY parent is required to volunteer in some way. 

If you are a Canskate  and  Junior  parent you will be assigned to dressing room duty.  You may fill out your preference of which show you would like to work.  If you do not fill out a “preferred time”, one will be assigned to you.  Every effort will be made to place you in the time slot requested, however we may have to make some adjustments depending on numbers. 

If you are a StarSkate 1, 2 or 3 parent you may review the list below and sign up for one  job.  If you do not sign up, a  job will be assigned to you.  Please indicate which show you prefer for jobs such as ticket sales. 

Please take the time to review the following pages and return your forms ASAP.

Volunteers are needed

Volunteers are a necessary requirement in order for our club to have a successful carnival.  If you do not think you will be able to volunteer on the weekend itself there are several jobs that need to be done before hand. 

Costume sewing: Items will be distributed for easy sewing tasks such as sewing sequins or ribbon on several of the same top or bottom.  If you are a more advanced sewer, please indicate that on your form and you may be given items, which need to be taken in or out or need to be hemmed.  This job would be mostly through out the month of February, as all costumes will be handed out the first week of Carnival practice. 

Costume Handout: Volunteers are needed to help distribute costumes to all skaters.  Tables will be set up in the dressing rooms on each night of skating.  The costumes will be together with all accompanying hair pieces.  Fittings may be required to ensure that each child gets a size that they can wear.  We will need approximately 4 to 6 volunteers on each night of skating.

Costume hand In: A table is set up in the lobby at the first intermission of the evenings performance.  Costumes are to handed back and the post-dated cheques are to be given back to everyone who returns their child’s costume.  We will need approx 2 or three volunteers for this.

Dress Rehearsal & Carnival Day Ticket Sales and Door People:  this job is the day of Carnival and requires the volunteer to be at the arena early for set up.  Once the doors open ticket will be torn in half.  (One half going into a bin for door prizes and one being given back to the buyer).  We will need 8 or 9 people per show for this job.

Flower Table and Program Sales:  A table will be set up near the staircase for flowers and program sales.  We will need 2 people for this table for each show.

Construction of Props:  A committee will be organized for the making of or painting of Props, which will be used on the ice during the show.  Some volunteers may be need during the show to help move items if the need arises.

50/50 Ticket Sales and Doorprize and Photo Pick Up Table: 
We need two 50/50 ticket sellers per show to wonder the crowd selling tickets for the draw.  We also need people to distribute door prizes and photo pick up for each show.  Approx 8 people total.

Dressing Room Attendants:  this is one of the most important jobs and one of the ones we need the most volunteers for.  The dressing room volunteers are required to be in the room for the skaters during the show.  You will be required to help with skates, costumes, bathroom trips (no child is to leave the room unattended) etc.  You will also be required to have the groups ready to go when the ice captain comes to get them for their number.  Two volunteer will accompany the ice captain, one leading the group and one at the back to ensure everyone makes it to their destination.  These two will than meet the group at their exit point on the ice to escort them back to their dressing room.  These two will also help with the removal of skate guards and the retrieval of them once the skaters leave the ice.  This job requires you to be in the room for one half of the show.  We need several people per room per half of the show and dress rehearsal night. We will have a minimum of 5 volunteers per room per half.  No groups will be left in a dressing room unattended.    For the safety of all of our skaters only the parents signed up to be in the dressing rooms will be allowed in.  

Carnival Set up:  this job is done during the day (Friday April 3, 2009) of dress rehearsal.  It involves helping to set up props, curtains, spot lights etc. 

Carnival Cleanup:  this job is done directly after the evening show.  It involves taking all of the props, curtains etc down and a general cleanup of the ice.

Picture Day Volunteer:  this year we have two photo days scheduled, a professional photographer will take group and individual photos.  We will need helpers on those evenings to help organize the groups for pictures.  Photo Day is scheduled for Monday March 23th and Thursday March 26th.  This will ensure that the photo packages are ready for pick up on the day of Carnival.
We will need approx 3 volunteers per night.

Costume put away: this job works with those at the costume hand in table.  The costumes must be counted, folded and put back into the appropriate bins.  These bins will then be neatly placed back in the Acton Skating Club room.  Volunteers would need to start at the intermission of the evening show on Saturday night and stay until everything is counted and put away.  We will need approx 4 people for this job.

Each of these jobs must be filled with volunteers to enable us to put on a quality show.  Your help and co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to participate in Carnival?  No, your child participation is up to you.  If you are not participating your regular season for skating will end February 26, 2009. 

Why must I buy a ticket for my child if they are skating?
If your child is skating and does not want to stay and watch the rest of the show, no ticket purchase is required however, it is required by law, that we not go over the maximum capacity in the building.  This count is done by ticket sales.  For example: If your child is in the first half of the show and would like to sit with you to watch the second half.  A ticket must be purchased for that seat.  As we have a great number of skaters in our club, if every child was allowed to come out without purchasing a ticket, it would not be long before we would be in breech of fire code and maximum capacity for the stands.   

What is my ticket money paying for?  It is extremely expensive to put on a yearend show.  The ice cost alone is staggering.  We must rent out the arena for the entire day on both Friday and Saturday for set up and shows.  Your registration fees and your participation in our fundraising events help pay for a portion of this ice time but do not cover all of the other costs.  Expenses such as lighting, costumes, props, paint, music, program printing, advertising and publication of information such as this letter, these costs all add up very quickly. 

What happens if we only want our child to participate in one show?  We strongly encourage all of the children who sign up, to participate in both shows.  If you know you cannot make it for both shows, please do not sign your child up. 
The coaches carefully choreograph each number according to how many skaters they have.  The children come to rely on knowing who they follow or who they have on their right side or left.  If this person suddenly is not there it can cause confusion on the ice and can be quite upsetting for a small skater.

Why can I not send a snack or drink into the dressing room with my child?  The only drink, which will be allowed in the dressing rooms, will be water bottles.  (Preferably those with a sports lid, to avoid spills.)  ABSOLUTELY no food can be brought into the rooms for several reasons. 

1. food or drinks spilled on the floor may cause a sticky floor.  If a skater in skates were to walk through this and get something stuck to their blade it can cause a safety issue when that skater takes the ice
2. the costumes worn by the skaters belong to the club and often times are reused year to year.  No one wants to wear a costume that has stains on it and it is very expensive to replace damaged costumes.
3. Food allergies- this is the most important reason for having NO food in the dressing rooms.  We want each and every skater to be in a safe environment while waiting to do their number in the show.  We have several members of the club with various food allergies and want to ensure that they have a worry free time in the dressing rooms.

Can I miss a Carnival practice and still be in it? We strongly suggest that no one miss a practice however we understand that sometimes you must miss.  Every skater must participate in no less than 3 out of 4 of the practice times and must attend dress rehearsal  or they cannot be in the Carnival.  It is very important for all of the children in the numbers to know exactly what they are doing and who to follow while on the ice.  If you miss more than one of the practice times it is too confusing for everyone involved.  This rule must be adhered too and will be enforced.

Each of these jobs must be filled with volunteers to enable us to put on a quality show. Your help and co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Every Skate Canada skating program complements the others and allows for unrestricted movement and development through the system. All programs are taught by professional coaches certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and they are offered at member clubs and skating schools across the country.