STURGIS - The Sturgis sports grounds were alive with action when eager fans took to the grounds for the annual Sports and Rodeo weekend on June 24 and 25.
“The weekend was well attended on both days. It was a slow start on Saturday but on Sunday it was better attended,” stated a representative from the Sports and Rodeo committee.
The weekend kicked off with a pancake breakfast at the Sturgis READ Club.
The Etomamie Riders Club hosted gymkhana events on both days with participants from across the local area.
Tristen Newcombe from Hyas showed off her trick riding skills on both days.
An outdoor trade show featured different vendors displaying their products. Vendors featured were: The Gift 40, Crystals Plus, Glow Crystals, Twin Pine Crystals, Penner Farms, Norwax/Watkins, Silver Ceuticals, BR Honey, Scentsy, and Air Brush Tattoos.
Newbury Snacks food truck and the Filipino food were also offered all weekend. The Sturgis Kin Club provided a booth with cotton candy and popcorn, and the Preeceville Museum sold ice cream, sunflower seeds and chocolate bars.
Rodeo events were held both days, made possible through Francis Bourque of Pelly who provided all the livestock required for saddle bronc, bull riding and sheep riding. It showcased the many talents and skills of cowboys entered in the program. The barrel racing had competitors competing for prize money and featured local riders. The rodeo events concluded with a fun sheep riding event for all local children.
Entertainment for children featured the Sturgis Kin Club inflatable bouncy castles.
The Sturgis U13 ball team hosted a tournament with teams entered from Preeceville, Keesekoose FN, Yorkton, Sturgis, Canora and Norquay. Preeceville was the winner of the tournament.
Saturday also played host to the annual Ivar Brass Memorial co-ed slo-pitch ball tournament. A rib supper, dance and fireworks conclude the events on Saturday night. Entertainment for the dance was provided by the Zuchkan band.
A pancake breakfast at the READ Club kicked off events on Sunday.
A car, truck and tractor show and shine featured 25 entries with four fan favorite awards handed out. Winners were, John Dvorak of Swan River (1950 Ford Coupe), Iona Hleboff of Canora (1976 El Camino), Danny Suchaplas Swan River (1971 Mustang), and Gene Keyowski of Canora (1958 Edsen).
The chuckwagon and chariot races were the highlight of the weekend. There were 47 chariots racers and 29 chuckwagon entries. The Eastern Professional Chariot and Chuckwagon Association hosted the event .
The top three chariots racers over the two days of racing were: the Pam Peterson chariot, Brandee Braaten and Kevin Salmond.
The top three chuckwagon racers over the two days of racing were: Casey Peterson, Kevin Gareau and Larry Salmond.
