Car horns honked and church bells rang in Salmon River as the central Nova Scotia community was crowned "Hockeyville" on Sunday night.

As the winner of the CBC Television contest, Salmon River will get $50,000 in upgrades to its local arena and $10,000 worth of hockey equipment.

Salmon River shows its hometown hockey spirit. (CBC)

The community of 2,000 will also host a National Hockey League exhibition game in nearby Truro.

• INDEPTH: CBC Hockeyville

"What an experience," said Ellery Deuville, owner of Deuville's rink. "I never dreamed of having something like this happen."

The contest started in March with 50 communities across Canada vying for the Hockeyville title. Voters across the country helped whittle down the list.

The celebration signs go up. (CBC)

In Friday's round, the top 10 had to make a 45-second pitch about why they were deserving of the prize. Salmon River made it through, representing the Atlantic region in the top five.

In the final round, Salmon River was up against Smithers, B.C., Airdrie, Alta., Barry's Bay, Ont. and Falher, Alta.

Deuville said he welcomes the prize money, but considers the exhibition game a real bonus because many people in the community have never seen NHL teams play.