Events
Here are some of the local events we do, and some we have done, at the Wizzard's Den.
Annual Poppy Day
Before Remembrance Day, we hold our Annual Poppy Day. On this day only, we tattoo pre-designed poppies for a discounted rate with ALL of the proceeds going to the Legion. We try to make each year bigger and better…This past November (2011) we tattooed 85 people in 12 hours! We began this tradition in 2006 and since then we have raised over $8700!
Canada Day Sunscreen Booth
Every Canada Day, you can catch us down at the Catwalk promoting sun safety. We provide free sunscreen applications, fake tattoos for kids, and watermelon while it lasts! Sunscreen is not only important for your skin’s health, but proper protection helps keep your tattoos vibrant for life!
General Panet Art Bursary
Starting in 2010, we created an art bursary that is awarded to two students who are pursuing an artistic field in post-secondary school. Each bursary is for $100.
Red Fridays
The Wizzard’s Den has supported many Red Friday events and the staff wears red on Fridays to show our support for the troops. We have donated colouring books and other art supplies to rallies and Ivan has also volunteered his time at these events.
Spring Fling/Sizzlin’ Summer Party
These events were thrown by Jay Mann and DJ Big Mike at G’Days in 2010 and 2012 respectively. The Wizzard’s Den was the main sponsor of these events, donating $585 in gift certificates and other prizes to the Spring Fling and $755 in gift certificates and prizes for the Sizzlin’ Summer Party.
Travelling Flags was created by Ange MacIsaac Brighton. The idea was for a group of flags to be shipped from town to town across this great country, at the request of a local host, to show support for the troops. The host would get a forwarding address for a particular date and they would ensure that the flags were passed on to the next destination, covering any shipping costs. On the flags, the names of the fallen Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan would be written in the white section surrounding the maple leaf, while the remaining red sections would be signed by supporters.
The Wizzard’s Den had the honour of hosting these flags twice. The first time, the flags were set out around the shop and visitors were asked to sign the flags. They could also read through the diaries that travel along with the flags, which consist of poignant words, poems, and messages of thanks. The second visit was a special one for the staff. Unfortunately, many supporters did not follow the rule of leaving the white sections sacred to the fallen troops so Liz, Genny, and Ivan were asked to cover up these names on eleven of the flags. The artists have a lot of experience covering up poorly done tattoos so they could apply this skill to the flags. The artists chose to work with black, white, and shades of gray in order to keep the pictures subdued and so as not to take away from the meaning of the flags. One day, once these flags are done their tour of Canada, they will find a home in The Royal Ontario Museum to be preserved for future viewing.
We would like to thank Ange for creating this idea, sharing it with the entire country, and for letting us be a part of it.
Support the Troops Ribbon Day
Before the tour from Petawawa in August 2008, we had a ‘Support the Troops’ ribbon tattoo day. We had pre-designed support ribbon tattoos and raised $400 for the Wounded Warriors Fund.
‘If You Don’t Stand Behind Our Troops’ bumper stickers
Wounded Warrior Fund was created in 2006 and is a fund that is set aside to support wounded Canadian troops that were injured in Afghanistan. This entity depends upon donations to help provide support to our troops.
A company was approached to print some bumper stickers, free of charge, to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Fund. The stickers were red and white, split through the centre from left to right in a red and white stripe. A red maple leaf and red font was on the white background on the top and a white maple leaf with white font on the red background on the bottom. The text read “IF YOU DON’T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS/FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM”. These stickers were printed for a few years and they were sold for $5 each with every cent going to the Wounded Warriors Fund. Although there is no accurate total on how much was made selling these stickers, it was definitely in the thousands of dollars.
Featured Event
Wizzard's Den award-winning booth at the 2011 Ottawa Valley Motorcycle and Tattoo Show
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