The Scotties Tournament of Hearts kicks off in the Tournament Capital on February 17th and while the field of curlers making their way to Kamloops is being filled out, so too is the entertainment.

Heading into the final weekend of January we know that the Kerri Einarson rink will represent Canada, the Kayla Skrlik rink will represent Alberta, the Clancy Grandy rink will represent B.C., the Andrea Kelly rink will represent New Brunswick, the Jo-Ann Rizzo rink will represent the Northwest Territories,  the Brigitte MacPhail rink will represent Nunavut, the Laurie St-Georges rink will represent Quebec and the Hailey Birnie rink will represent the Yukon.

That leaves 10 spots still to be determined – Ontario, Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and three Wild Card teams.

Scotties Vice-Chair Linda Bolton says the whole organizing committee is ready for this thing to get underway.

“We’re really excited and very prepared,” she said on the NL Morning News.

Kamloops’ own Corryn Brown came up just shy in a bid to represent B.C. in her hometown losing in an extra end at the BC Scotties to the Clancy Grandy rink. Brown says it is still difficult to comprehend that her team won’t have a chance to play in a Scotties at home in their lifetime.

“Losing a provincial final is never easy. We have been in this position before and t hurts every time, but I think this one definitely stings a little bit more just knowing what could have been…. It would have been amazing to represent our city at the Scotties,” she told NL Sports.

Bolton notes there is some disappointment that Brown won’t be participating, but says everyone should still be ready to cheer on Clancy Grandy and her team.

“Our game is based on inches and Corryn was so darn close. She and her team is always such an amazing ambassador for our city. Of course we were disappointed but we also are excited that Grandy is coming through. It was a hard one to watch for sure,” Bolton said, noting Brown and her team will still be involved with the event helping out with the Sandra Schmirler foundation and with the girls rock program.

Clancy Grandy moved to  Coquitlam this season and joined the Kayla MacMillan rink as their new skip. She was a guest on The NL Morning News and admitted she doesn’t know a whole lot about the host city.

“I’ve looked at a few pictures and I see that it’s on the river there and I hear it is really beautiful. So I am sure we will have an opportunity to kind of explore Kamloops and enjoy it that was as well,” Grandy said.

In terms of some of the activities that will be corresponding with the Scotties, Bolton says organizers are also working on an eight ender program.

“So what that is, is you visit four different restaurants that are listed on a passport. You get your passport stamped and you bring it back to the merchandising booth and you actually get a Scotties T-Shirt,” Bolton said, noting you will be able to pick it up at the info booth at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and there will be some available at participating locations as well.

“It is both north shore and south shore restaurants. Both BIA’s have been amazing supporters of the event and so we’re really looking forward to that.”

“It’s called an eight ender for a reason because if you collect eight stamps you actually are entered into a grand prize draw of gift certificates for all the restaurants. So it is pretty sweet,” she added.

Evening & Late Night Performances at The Patch

Friday – Forum (Rock Covers) + DJ El Devine (music videos)
Saturday – Cameron Whitcomb (American Idol) + Jon Bos Band (Party Covers) + DJ El Devine (music videos)
Sunday –  DJ El Devine (day + night) + Hurry Hard Curling Play Teaser / Crowd Participation Comedy + Cod Gone Wild (East Coast Party Music)
Monday – Dave Coalmine (Solo) + DJ Brendan (day) + DJ El Devine (night)
Tuesday – TBD (Solo)  + DJ Brendan (day) + DJ El Devine (night)
Wednesday – Jeremy Kneeshaw (Solo) + DJ Brendan (day) + DJ El Devine (night)
Thursday – Country Night – Tanner Dawson (Solo) + Angie Heinze Band (Country Pop) + DJ Angie (day) + DJ El Devine (night)
Friday – TBD + The Chevelles + DJ Angie (day) + DJ El Devine (night)
Saturday – Rawn Side of Town (Duo) + The Chevelles + DJ Angie (day) + DJ El Devine (night)