The weather for the first Horse Hill Music Jamboree was very co-operative. The festivities began Saturday morning, June 29, with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. on the grounds.
The music started around 10 a.m. with the Amudruds, which included the homegrown talent of Amy Olson Lenko. Other musicians featured till 1 p.m. were Neil MacDonald and Troy Wakelin.
The demolition derby took place at 1 p.m. with 10 cars taking part. Those earning trophies for the event were Joe Lukin placing first and hardest hit, Dave Lukin with second and Norm Pepper placing third. Darcy Bonsan won the powder-puff trophy while her husband, Curtis, won the best dressed car.
The field needed to be soaked down a couple of times during the derby as the dust was extremely thick and the crowds couldn't view the action. However, some of the kids perched on top of a scaffold had a good view, so I joined them to get some pictures. Hats off to Henri Blaquiere and Barry Weitzel for their entertaining commentary during the demolition derby.
Between the third and mercy heats of the derby, the King Crunch was featured. Bill L'Heureux and Darcy Poole competed with a track hoe and a Cat to see who could demolish a car the quickest. Although Bill is good with his machine and could probably feed you with his hoe, I'm afraid that once Darcy got the ripper of the Cat into the car, it was pretty much game over. There were only pieces of the car left while Bill neatly folded his into a nice package.
Rounding out the day for entertainment were Dallas Boyer Band, Eli Barsi, Shiffty Morgan and Tommy John Ehan. Arson Entertainment, DJ, played for those who wished to dance the night away from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Day two also started with a pancake breakfast from 8 - 10 a.m. The entertainment consisted of The Daae Family, which included another of the Olson sisters who were raised here. Other performers during the day were Troy Wakelin, The Gordon Girls, Eli Barsi, Saskatchewan Express, Tim Toutant, Hot Tamales, The Johners and Bradford's Corner.
My favourite throughout the weekend had to have been the Johners. Brad Johner brought his three eldest sons and one of their friends to perform and they did not disappoint. Two of the boys sang with their dad and, in my opinion, they are destined to become stars in their own right.
The evening finished off with fireworks, presented by Racken Enterprises, and birthday cake.
Other events that took place throughout the weekend were a small vendors' market, the show and shine, pony rides and Mantracker with Bruce and Laura Martin tracking down kids on horseback. The kids were dropped off at the golf course and had to make their way back to the jamboree grounds without the Martins catching them. There were four youngsters who were successful; Jade Cole, Tyson Orchison, Owen Orchison and Aleesa Sharp made it back undetected.
The museum was also open for the weekend. Kids' activities were also available in the form of bouncy houses and a fishing hole which ended up more like a swimming hole by the end of the second day.
All in all it was a fun time had by all. Even the shower that hit Sunday afternoon couldn't keep the dance floor empty; our lovers of dance stayed dancing even in the rain. Be sure to mark your calendar for next year's event. The dates are June 14 and 15, 2014.
