But, as per usual in these disappointing times, there will be no Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Banquet this year. No tales from the likes of Eric Lindros or Lanny McDonald or Billy Smith, no anecdotes from John Gibbons, Fergie Jenkins or Dave Ridgeway. And no annual visit from Sportsnet host Jamie Campbell.
And making things that much tougher, no massive cash infusion to help support the local Kinsmen club’s many, many charitable ventures in the community.
“It’s too bad, that’s kind of our main money-maker for the year and not being able to hold it is a real disappointment, but it is what it is,” said Kinsmen president Mike McKeown. “There’s not a whole lot we can do and we’re just hoping everyone is staying safe and hopefully this time next year we'll be able to hold it again and enjoy it twice as much.”
The banquet regularly sells out the Heritage Inn banquet hall — to the tune of 400-plus people — and in addition to the wide range of impressive guests also features auction items covering the gamut of sports memorabilia and beyond.
All told, the event raises more than $50,000 annually and has cleared a million dollars through its 28 years of existence.
“So that definitely fills the bank account for the year to be able to provide for all the groups and organizations we provide for,” McKeown said.
The good news is the Kinsmen still have plenty of cash on hand to help out their sports groups and non-profits. That’s in no small part due to the popular Chase the Ace event that takes place every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cask 82 in the Crushed Can Sports Bar. While it isn’t 50 grand from a single event, it’s a steady run of weekly income helping keep everything in solid shape.
“We have a devoted crowd that keeps coming every week and supporting us and that’s definitely appreciated,” McKeown said. “Our ticket sales aren’t down a whole lot for that, which is amazing. So that’s definitely keeping us alive, and if it wasn’t for that things would be a lot harder.”
The fact most organizations that would need funds from the Kinsmen are also sidelined at the moment also helps hold the bottom line.
“They’re kind of on pause so we’re kind of on pause and that helps out too,” McKeown said. “We do still have our contributions that we’re still fulfilling, though, we’re not denying anyone money who we have a contract with. So we’re still alive and kicking and still going.”
And already looking ahead to 2022.
“We’ll be looking to put on a really good show next year, for sure.”
