Do you want to participate in the 69th annual Bunny Bonspiel?
Well then hurry, and hard.

Thirty men’s teams have signed up for the event but organizers are looking for at least two more. Sixteen women’s teams are participating and organizers want 20. The event will take place at the Coleman arena from March 24 to 26.

According to a release from the Crowsnest Curling Club, the Bunny Bonspiel is a Crowsnest tradition made possible by the wonder of artificial ice.

Using natural ice surfaces, Pass residents were already curling in the early 1900s. The Crow's Nest Curling Association was hosting regional bonspiels as far back as the 1910s. But unpredictable weather made it difficult to hold regular bonspiels, particularly in the spring.

Artificial ice made it possible to have a bonspiel at Easter, and the first one was held in 1947. In 1952 the 'Easter Bunny Bonspiel' hosted 64 rinks - 28 from the Pass, 11 from Calgary and 25 from other areas, including some of the biggest names in Alberta curling.

In 1956 Blairmore installed an artificial ice plant, and took over hosting the Bunny from the ageing Bellevue arena. It was originally a men only event but ladies were later allowed to participate.

The Bunny Bonspiel moved to the new sports complex in Coleman in 1997 with the closure of the Blairmore curling arena.

The historic competitiveness between Pass communities, in sports and other areas, was always present during events.

The deadline to register is March 4. Interested parties should contact Flora Griffith at (403) 563-0671.