Kincardine Record
Banner Ad
Banner Ad

Thousands attend Ripley Reunion which wrapped up with bed races and beard-growing

Liz DadsonBy: Liz Dadson  August 11, 2015
Thousands attend Ripley Reunion which wrapped up with bed races and beard-growing

Thousands of people turned out for the 2015 Ripley Reunion which wrapped up on the Monday, Aug. 3, with bed races and the beard-growing competition.

Reunion committee chairperson Amanda Farrell Walsh said every event all weekend was extremely well-supported.

"I’ve never seen so many people at the sports events," she said. "In true Ripley fashion, people found a way to continue celebrating despite Mother Nature on Sunday evening. Our volunteers were unbelievable. I can’t thank them enough!"

She said the Ripley community pulled together and every time there was a job to be done, there was a crew of people ready to help out. 

"The organizing committee and the sub-committees put thousands of hours into preparing for the weekend and it showed," she said. "I am so proud to be a part of this group and this community."

Meanwhile, the final day of the reunion was highlighted by the bed races through downtown Ripley, and the beard-growing contest in the beer gardens.

A massive crowd lined the streets as teams grabbed their fancy and strangely-rigged beds and took them for a run. One team even dragged a couch down the street, and then parked it and sat down on it!

A special tribute was made to the Legends of Ripley who pushed their bed through the streets, amid the applause of the crowd. Seated on the bed, was Wilma Sutton, while pushing the bed were Gordie Roulston, Wes Smith, Marion Robb, Cecil Sutton and Charles Smith. Riding behind, were Don MacTavish and Elmer Smeltzer.

The sign on the bed said: "See you in 2025!"

Following a brief downpour, judges Audrey MacDonald, Marina Cameron and Ripley Reunion ambassador Marley Martyn started staring down the many bearded wonders in the beard-growing contest.

Conner Dixon won the mullet-growing contest, over Mike Burgess and Danny Blank.

Dickson Cummings had the best moustache-and-beard combination, over John Farrell.

Michael MacNay had the most-colourful beard, over John Yungblut.

Matt MacDonald had the best-groomed beard, over Brian MacKay and Wilfred Gamble

Trevor Van Sickle had the best wild full beard, over Matt Courtney, Charles Taylor, Cecil Sutton, Jeff Gamble and Brian Regier.

Blain Carruthers won for the best goatee.

Auctioneer Johnny Murray then took bids on any contestants who wished to have their beards shaved off for charity. And in the end, the group raised about $6,800 for various groups, including Ripley Minor Hockey, Alzheimer Society, the Starfish Children in Haiti (Men for Missions), and the Canadian Cancer Society.

The reunion ended with an amazing fireworks display.

Image Gallery

Rob Thompson (C) and Brad Murray take turns shaving off Cecil Sutton's beard and mustache, while hairdresser Denise Edden stands by
Conner Dixon (R) wins the mullet-growing contest, over Mike Burgess (L) and Danny Blank
Hairdresser Denise Edden (L) starts shaving off Conner Dixon's mullet at the beard-growing contest
Hairdresser Denise Edden (R) shaves the mullett off Conner Dixon at the Ripley Reunion
Hairdresser Denise Edden (L) uses the clippers on Mike Burgess
Hairdresser Denise Edden (R) shaves the mullett off Mike Burgess
Dickson Cumming (L) takes the win over John Farrell for best moustache and beard combination at the beard-growing contest, Monday afternoon at the Ripley Reunion
Hairdresser Denise Edden (L) starts clipping off John Farrell's beard
A clean-shaven John Farrell, much to the delight of his wife, Mary
John Yungblut has his beard dyed the Ripley Reunion colours for the contest
Michael MacNay (R) takes the prize for most-colourful beard, over John Yungblut, with MC Sean Johnson
Auctioneer Johnny Murray (R) takes bids for Michael MacNay's colourful beard, selling it for $230
Helen Van Osch (R) clips the colourful beard off Michael MacNay
Michael MacNay minus his bushy beard
Wilfred Gamble as Papa Smurf in the beard-growing contest
Matt MacDonald (L) wins the best-groomed beard contest, over Brian MacKay and Wilfred Gamble
Auctioneer Johnny Murray (L) takes bids for the prize-winning beard of Matt MacDonald; the winner was Perry Elliott with a bid of $1,000 for Ripley Minor Hockey
Matt MacDonald wins the best-groomed beard contest at the Ripley Reunion
Matt MacDonald's son gets a final grab at his beard before it's shaved off by his wife, Michele (R), with hairdresser Denise Edden
Michele MacDonald (R) shaves the bushy beard off the face of her husband, Matt
Trevor Van Sickle (second from left) wins the wild full beard contest, over Brian Regier (L), Jeff Gamble, Cecil Sutton, Charles Taylor and Matt Courtney
Shea Van Sickle (R) jokes around with a pair of hedge-clippers before trimming the beard off her husband, Trevor
Shea Van Sickle (C) shaves the prize-winning beard off the chin of her husband, Trevor, while judge Marina Cameron (L) and hairdresser Denise Edden watch
The newly-shaven Trevor Van Sickle, with his happy wife, Shea
Ripley Reunion ambassador Marley Martyn (R) presents a prize to Blain Carruthers for the best goatee
The Couch Potatoes, with John MacKay in the lead, compete in the bed races; photo by David Dadson
The Couch Potatoes relax after their run in the bed races; in back, are Brian (L) and Debbie MacKay, and Philip VanHardeveld; and in front, John MacKay (L), Jamael Jackson and Matt VanHardeveld
The Cookie Dusters compete in the bed races, Monday afternoon in downtown Ripley during the reunion; photo by David Dadson
The Ripley Drinking Team takes part in the races; photo by David Dadson
The Duct Tape Squad won this heat in the bed races, advancing to the finals and taking the win; photo by David Dadson
The Far-L Flyers compete in the bed races; photo by David Dadson
Michele Elliott rides in the style with her team in the bed races; photo by David Dadson
This team gets hung up on the crowd at the bed races, Monday afternoon at the Ripley Reunion
Kool Runnings (L) versus the Cookie Dusters in the bed races
It was a man-down for this team in the bed races
Joe Neitzel's team in the bed races
Team Thomas (L) wins over Team Scotty in the finals at the finals in the bed races
Don Farrell announces the Ripley Legends team at the end of the bed races
The Ripley Legends have their own special lap in the bed races; from left, are Gordie Roulston, Wes Smith, Marion Robb (in behind), Wilma Sutton (in the bed), Cecil Sutton and Charles Smith; following behind, are Don MacTavish and Elmer Smeltzer
Another downpour dampens the beer gardens, just prior to the beard-growing competition, Monday afternoon at the Ripley Reunion

Related Stories

No related stories.

Share
Liz DadsonWritten By

Liz Dadson

Liz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.



    Comments (0)

  1. No Comments.

Leave a Comment

By submitting this form, I consent that my name (and email, if provided) will be published on kincardinerecord.com as part of this story.


Banner Ad
Banner Ad