The Limestone Classic

Kingston's Market Square Events Committee saw a need for a winter festival that would contribute to the livelihood of downtown citizens, business owners and community leaders. The plans developed into thecurrent skating rink in historic Market Square that now plays host to thousands of community members on a weekly basis. At the centre of this winter festival is the Annual Limestone Classic.

The Limestone Classic came to be when one of the organizers of the 2004 outdoor hockey tournament at Little Cat rink, Jibin Joseph, recommended that the event be relocated to Market Square and be billed as the feature attraction of a winter festival. The committee embraced the idea of Feb Fest and the classic.

To honour the memory of Mr. Quattrocchi, Feb Fest organizers last year instituted 'The Phil Quattrocchi Hall of Cheer Award.' The award was  presented to key volunteers, and contributors, to Feb Fest whose enthusiasm, determination and hard work has had a positive effect on the success and the 'fun-ness' of 'Feb Fest.'

Last year Bryon Springer, Feb Fest Vice-Chair and current Chairman of the BIA remarked that "this was an opportunity for the Feb Fest Committee to remember Mr. Quattrocchi's tireless efforts in building a winter festival in Kingston . This year's recipient is Jibin Joseph, whose commitment to Feb Fest and the Limestone Classic exemplifies these qualities.

Native Kingstonians, and retired NHL players, Kirk Muller and Doug Gilmour play host to the Limestone Classic 4-on-4 shinny hockey tournament each year at Feb Fest. These NHL greats work hard to recruit fellow past-NHL players to come to Kingston for the weekend and put on a show.

Some of the 2007 greats included Wendel Clark, Steve Shutt, Steve Larmer, and Billy Smith, to name a few. The Limestone Classic has evolved to a level that Jibin Joseph didn't believe possible so soon. "I'm so excited about this," he says, "and the buzz around town convinces me that Feb Fest will be an amazing weekend."

The tournament plays host to 10 teams, each including NHL greats and local players that play games on the Market Square rink beginning at 8:30am on Saturday, with the final game scheduled for 4:20pm. The full-day event is in pursuit of the ever-elusive prize, the John Counter Cup.