Yarmouth has made the Top 5 list of finalists across the country for Kraft Hockeyville.
The Top 5 list was announced Saturday evening on CBC Hockey Night in Canada during the first intermission of the Vancouver Canucks–Columbus Blue Jackets game.
The Top 5 list, according to region, is:
•Atlantic region: Yarmouth, N.S.
•Quebec region: Amos, QC
•Ontario region: Stirling-Rawdon, ON
•West: Duck Lake, SK
•Pacific: West Kelowna, BC
Now voting is underway to select the one community that will be named Kraft Hockeyville. The winning community gets to host an NHL pre-season game and receives $100,000 for arena upgrades.
The voting window is a small one. Voting got underway just before midnight on Saturday, March 17 and ends at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21.
People are being encouraged to vote, and vote often, for Yarmouth. There is no limit to how many times you can vote. (NOTE: You can click on a video message urging people to vote by clicking on the video tab at the top of this page.)
To vote just visit www.krafthockeyville.ca and place your vote for Yarmouth/Mariners Centre. You can do this on your computer or on your Smartphone or mobile phone.
You can also vote by telephone by calling 1-866-533-8066 and selecting the 2-digit number for Yarmouth when prompted.
The winning community will be named on March 31.
A local committee has been working feverishly, with the help of enlisted volunteers, to spread the message about voting in the days leading up to Saturday’s announcement. People have also been encouraged to spread the word through social media but posting messages on their Facebook page and also by liking the Yarmouth is Hockeyville Facebook page and the Kraft Hockeyville Facebook page.
People are also encouraged to spread the word through email contacts and with their friends, families and coworkers.
During the voting process computer terminals will also be set up at the Mariners Centre.
Above all, people are being encouraged to demonstrate their community spirit by participating in the vote.
Premier Darrell Dexter is also urging Nova Scotians to vote for Yarmouth in the Kraft Hockeyville 2012 contest.
"Nova Scotians continue to proudly nominate their hometowns and vie for the Kraft Hockeyville title," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "I encourage all Nova Scotians to throw their support behind Yarmouth and get out the vote.”
"Hockey is a sport with deep roots in Nova Scotia -- our province is widely thought to be the birthplace of hockey," said Premier Dexter. "Unlike an election, Nova Scotians can cast their vote more than once. We need everyone to vote early, and vote often."
By making the Top 5 list, Yarmouth is guaranteed to receive $25,000 for its arena.
Yarmouth already considers itself a huge hockey town. It’s Yarmouth Junior A Mariners are in the Bent Division finals of the Maritime Junior Hockey League, with the winner advancing to the league championship. In November, Yarmouth is hosting the international World Junior A Hockey Challenge. It has a very strong minor hockey association with over 500 players registered from ages four to their mid-teens. Three of its seven rep teams are representing Yarmouth at provincial championships this year. In the past, it was also the home site for two consecutive years for the New York Islanders NHL training camp. It also hosts, annually, the largest female hockey tournament in Nova Scotia, this being the Chicks with Sticks tournament.
