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If you grew up watching The Red Green Show, you know two things to be absolute truths: duct tape fixes everything, and if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
But what happens when you combine that classic Possum Lodge mentality with a bustling, top-tier family entertainment hub in Trenton, Ontario? You get Shawn, the Director of Operations at Homestead Adventure Park & Curley’s Fries and Ice Cream. From dodging safety clipboards to testing out the 19th Hole Invitational collection—and occasionally golfing with objects that are definitely not PGA-approved—Shawn Ricketts is redefining what it means to run a central marketplace for outdoor family fun.
We sat down with the man, the myth, and the handy-man himself to talk about ice cream, high ropes, and why "close enough" is the ultimate life strategy.
Q: Shawn, you’ve been making waves running the show over at Homestead Adventure Park & Curley’s in Trenton, Ontario. As the Director of Operations, you have a lot on your plate. Red always says, “If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy”—how do you balance the corporate operations side of things with building out a central marketplace for outdoor family fun and adventure?
Shawn: "One thing I have learned from watching Red over the years is to surround yourself with excitement, enjoyment, and creativity. That is exactly what our adventure park and restaurant is all about! We have taken our passion and built something that represents good times with great friends, so it’s easy to balance everything when life at Homestead is as fun as it is over here!"
Q: When it comes to the day-to-day grind at the Homestead Adventure Park , your outfit has to bridge the gap between Director of Ops and Handyman. What exactly do you wear to work when you are the face of the park , fishing balls out of the water and the man behind the latest dessert taste testing at Curley’s Fries And Ice Cream?
Shawn: "I have found it pertinent to wear waterproof shoes and a loose fitting waist band! The loose fitting waist band is especially important, as one should never have to choose between ice cream and the ability to carry an adjustable wrench. Of course, Red Green’s Suspenders help with holding up my pants with wrenches in my pocket."
Q: Your recent time on the green at the Homestead Adventure Park mini golf course caught a lot of attention. You seem to naturally channel Red Green's iconic philosophy of “close enough”—a strategy we saw you execute perfectly throughout your short game while showcasing the new 19th Hole Invitational collection. Would you agree that the real vision behind the marketplace experience is just to have fun, and that "close enough" is what really counts?
Shawn: " Absolutely. I've always believed that mini golf, much like life, is less about perfection and more about confidently pretending that was the plan all along. It's about getting out, having fun, making memories, and occasionally launching a golf ball in a direction that can only be described as "creative."
Q: With the adventure park featuring a custom mini-golf course, we have to ask: do you think professional golfers are actually made at Homestead, or is it more of a "keep your head down and hope for the best" kind of training ground? After seeing your legendary face-off with Bob Izumi and watching you tackle the green by golfing with some pretty unconventional items. It feels a bit more like The Duct Tape Masters than the PGA Tour!
Shawn: " I think Homestead Adventure Park has the potential to create professional golfers, but after my performance with Bob, I'd say it's currently producing a much stronger class of enthusiastic amateurs. I have spent a lot of time researching mini-golf over the last few years, and learned some valuable pieces of information. Mostly that there are apparently rules about what you're supposed to use as a golf club. But either way, let's just say if the PGA Tour ever introduces a Duct Tape Masters division, I like my chances."
Q: We all know Harold Green loves safety regulations, clipboards, and proper procedures. What do you think Harold would think of the High Ropes Course at Homestead? Would he appreciate the organized outdoor family fun, or would the 16 wild obstacles have him hyperventilating over the liability waivers?
Shawn: "I think Harold would arrive at the High Ropes Course absolutely thrilled. He'd see the safety briefing, the harnesses, the trained staff, and the procedures, and he'd immediately ask if there was a second safety briefing to explain the first safety briefing. I can picture him standing at the first platform with a clipboard, conducting a risk assessment on every rope, cable, bolt, tree, squirrel, and passing cloud."
Q: As Red Green always says, “We’re all in this together.” We’ve been so impressed by how you rally the community, with your “pass the Possum Lodge Puck” campaign featuring local businesses making a difference. For the die-hard fans of the show and the Possum Lodge lifestyle, why is the Homestead Marketplace the ultimate destination they need to check out this summer?
Shawn: "What makes it special is that it's built around the same idea Red's always talked about: community. The "Pass the Possum Lodge Puck" campaign has been a great example of local businesses helping each other, supporting causes that matter, and proving that when people work together, amazing things can happen. Homestead Adventure Park at Homestead Marketplace in Trenton, Ontario is the perfect summer destination because it's got a little bit of everything. You've got local vendors, unique finds, family activities, mini golf, high ropes, great food, and plenty of opportunities to make memories you'll be talking about long after summer is over."
Whether you're looking to challenge your family to a round of "creative" mini-golf, test your bravery on the High Ropes Course, or just enjoy some legendary Curley’s fries and ice cream with a loose waistband, one thing is clear: Homestead Adventure Park is the place to be this summer.
Shawn and his team have built more than just an attraction; they’ve created a community hub that proves we really are all in this together. So grab your suspenders, pack up the family, and head over to Trenton, Ontario to make some unforgettable summer memories.
And remember... keep your stick on the ice!
