Ugly Sweater Run is just for fun

Standing in Glebe Park Andrea Mueller and Kate Butler laugh about the upcoming event all about embracing the company of others and being silly.

The Ugly Sweater Run in its fifth year is taking place Sunday Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. at the park which is steps away from the Haliburton Highlands Museum. It’s an inclusive family-friendly event.
Mueller who is the Dysart recreation co-ordinator loves how the run enlivens the season’s spirit at a time of year that is largely grey.
“We just want people to come out and have fun. It is a busy time of year for people. If they can just come and wear a funky sweater have a good time. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and exercise at the end of November when the weather is not so great” she said. “Look at today: it’s bleak; it’s grey. But [during the event] you see some people wearing silly sweaters smiling and having a good time. It adds to it.”

Mueller promises snow but not in the usual sense.
“There will be snow”  Mueller said. “There won’t be necessarily snow on the ground but there will be snow inside the museum so you can make a snowman … a take-home snowman.”
Free to the public the event also includes refreshments and Christmas treats crafting for children and adults children’s activities Christmas music and Nostalgic Christmas at the Museum from noon to 3 p.m. Participant sweaters will be judged at 11 a.m. with the five kilometre run (with shorter alternate route also available) starting right after.
There will be an opportunity for participants to add to their sweaters from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the museum on the second floor.
“We’ll have some crafty supplies so if you look at your sweater that morning [and think] ‘it looks good but I want more’ come on by a little early and we’ll have everything you’ll need” said Butler the director at the museum.

Financial donations are welcome and will contribute to the Elf Drive at J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School. The drive provides for families in need with food for Christmas dinner and gifts for children.
The museum is located at 66 Museum Rd. and is accessed by Bayshore Road off of Highway 118 in Haliburton. The event welcomes walkers and runners of different levels. One participant is nine-year-old Violet Humphries who is planning to wear 150 bells to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
If you can help with the bells contact her mother Joleen Thomas at joleenthomas@hotmail.com.
Pets are welcome to join in the fun. They must be on a leash for the event. Registration is from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

For more information contact Kate Butler at info@thehaliburtonhighlandsmuseum.com or 705-457-2760 or Andrea Mueller at amueller@dysartetal.ca or 705-457-1740.