MAIDSTONE – July 1 started with pouring rain until about 10 a.m., when it cleared up and they day morphed into a sunny one. The parade master was Bill Foster, who organized a lengthy parade led by RCMP Cst. Kelan Henderson in his red serge uniform.
Christine Carlson judged the entries, with first place going to the Village of Waseca float.
Second place went to SGI and third to Maidstone Red Hat Society. The convertible they were riding in broke down partway through the parade route and had to be towed to the finish line by a tow truck, much to the amusement of the spectators. Honourable mention should go to the Lloydminster air cadet bagpipe band.
Children along the route enjoyed picking up the candy thrown by the parade participants.
Children on decorated bikes rounded out the entries.
The opening ceremonies started with a welcome by Councillor Eleanor Pegg for the Town of Maidstone and Reeve Garry Taylor for the RM of Eldon.
Judging the decorated bikes were Cst. Kelan Henderson and Cst. Ryan Fraser. First place went to Waylon Lott, second to Evelyn Telenga and third to Lily Lott.
On the lawn in front of the museum station, a variety of children’s games and face painting were available organized by Cathy Utri on behalf of the museum. The event was well attended with everyone winning a prize.
The slow tractor race was organized by Richard Meynberg with 12 tractors entered. The first race was under two mph, with first place going to Al Schmitt of Edgerton, Alta. driving a Cockshut tractor. In second was William Cocker of Vermilion, Alta. driving a John Deere 630. In third was Dewey Taylor of Paynton driving a Cockshut 30.
In the over two mph category, first place was won by Bill McLaren of Maidstone driving a John Deere 70. Richard Meynberge of Paynton driving a John Deere H was second and third place when to Troy Bohn of Paynton driving an International Harvester WH.
The lawn and garden tractor event saw first place going to the Corker brothers from Vermilion, Alta. with a John Deere 112. In second place was Richard Meynberge of Paynton with a John Deere 110 and in third were the Corker brothers with a Minneapolis Molene.
During the day, Christine Carlson and Sandra Sutherland conducted tours of the museum village buildings. The United Church ladies hosted a food booth and museum members also served food.
The slo-pitch volunteers served lunch at the beer garden tent.
Rodney Marfleet organized the eight teams that entered the horseshoe tournament. A side was won by Doug Sayers and Ben Bishop. B side was won by Herman Grey and Greg Amson.
Thank you to all who participated in a new event called disc golf organized by Dave Speirs, with 20 participants during the day. His son, Mathew, designed a course in Delfrari Park as part of his leadership class. This new sport is free everyday at the park. You can bring your own disco or rent one from AG Foods.
One of the many attractions was the threshing demonstration of the Red River Special machine owned by Allen Hinde of Waseca. The machine was run by a 1530 McCormick Deering tractor operated and owned by Vince Gerlinsky. Wheat bundles were fed to the threshing machine by field pitchers George Bray of Maidstone and a gentleman from Davidson. Allen explained in detail the working of the machine. He also demonstrated his 10-foot McCormick Deering power binder driven by a small McCormick Deering WH operated and owned by Troy Bohn of Paynton. Straw threshed was used in the children’s straw scramble.
Foot races and sack and three-legged races for different age groups were hosted after by Bill McGillvary and Jullie Maxwell.
Stage entertainment followed featuring Garry Taylor and Vince Gerlinsky singing western music and gospel songs.
From 4 to 6 p.m., bingo, arranged by Dorothy Schwartz with assistance from Bev Stewart and Dorothy Harmel, attracted a good number of players.
The slo-pitch participants hosted a two-day tournament Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers looked after the beer gardens and supplied barbecued food both days. The 20 teams that entered had players from North Battleford, Lloydminster, Lashburn, Waseca, Paynton, Cut Knife, Unity, Turtleford, St. Walburg, Paradise Hill and Maidstone, organized by Doug Sayers.
The winning A side team were the D and B Chiefs of Onion Lake. In second place were Long Barrel Rifles from Little Pine.
B side winners were Grant of Lloydminster and C side winners were Get in Get Out of Lloydminster.
Families with their children camped overnight at Delfrari Park and took part in other events.
This full-day event ended with entertaining fireworks at about 11 p.m. Cost was divided by the Town of Maidstone and the RM of Eldon.
Thank you to all the other many volunteers not mentioned, who made this an enjoyable day for those attending. See you next year
