It鈥檚 the last week of our fifth month of 2016. As we head into summer, enjoy the sights and smells of Saskatchewan summer around you. Let鈥檚 hope those sights and sounds include rain clouds and rain 鈥� because, let鈥檚 face it 鈥� a month and half (and then some) of no rain is a scary sight and thought. The long weekend promised rain but this submission was sent before then, so let鈥檚 hope me writing about it made it happen.
Western Days is on next weekend. 2016 committee members, Twila Zunti and Brian Woytiuk, provide some of the details. The parade will continue to be run under the experienced leadership of Carey Baker and Michael Soloski, while Mary Ann Gaetz continues to chair the citizen of the year nomination and award portion of the weekend.
Businesses are encouraged to saddle up and get in the spirit of Western Days weekend by decorating and聽 dressing up.
Not everyone can sit on the curb and clap, so parade entries are being sought right up until parade day. The committee is thankful for those businesses and groups who support the Western Days parade year after year but say there is always room for new entries. The walk along clowns are no longer part of the event and the committee invites 鈥渢hem鈥� to return for everyone鈥檚 entertainment.
Chamber of Commerce is hosting a barbecue downtown before and after the parade.
The fairgrounds are where all the action takes place. For a fair price at the gate, you can mosey on in and watch a full slate of rodeo events, be entertained by the rodeo clown, watch the half-time shows as well as cheer on your favourite celebrity in the celebrity cow riding event, featured both days. The booth will be open all weekend as will the beer gardens.
Friday night folks can head to the roast beef supper for only $12 a plate, put on by the Western Days committee. The 2016 Citizen of the Year will be announced at this event. Following the banquet and citizen of the year presentation, a social will take place featuring the music of Stereo Playground and will also include the hat sale.
Saturday鈥檚 rodeo action begins at 5:30 p.m. The rodeo this year will feature Thriller Trick Riders. Saturday night is the rodeo cabaret featuring the popular band Longshot.
Friday night鈥檚 social is only $10 and Saturday鈥檚 rodeo dance only $15, but those that want to attend both can purchase a wristband for $20. Tickets are available at Junction 21 and Unity Motor Products.
Sunday鈥檚 rodeo performance begins at 2 p.m. and Sunday will also feature the Gray Valley Petting Zoo on hand for the youngsters. Sunday will also feature the wild pony race.
The Unity farmers鈥� market is proving to be a big hit once again. Shoppers enjoy the choices of home-made and home-grown products available to them. These markets run each Friday from 2 to 5 p.m with one late market on the third Friday of every month running from 4 to 7 p.m.
A Girls Prairie Softball League event, which features girls鈥� softball teams in U12, U14, U16 and U18 divisions, is being hosted this weekend. It is also deemed 鈥減ink sox鈥� weekend having coaches, players and fans purchase pink socks in support of breast cancer fundraising and awareness.
Unity Public School is nearly in year-end mode. Now that track and field is over there isn鈥檛 much left on the agenda. The Grade 3 class trip is June 9 and June 10 is kindergarten orientation day.
St. Peter鈥檚 School track meet is today. The band is doing a fundraiser with the booth to help pay for their expenses such as equipment maintenance and replacement. May 31 the students in Grades 4-6 will travel to North Battleford for the LOCCSD track and field meet.
UCHS awards night is June 9, and the Living Sky division awards a couple nights later.
The museum will be holding opening day next weekend. Volunteers and committee members work hard to keep this facility in tiptop shape.
Coffee row folks enjoy having so much activity taking place in Unity as it gives them plenty to look forward to and plenty to review. These members are also voicing their worries about the lack of moisture. And, Rider season is becoming more imminent so, of course, green conversations are abound. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
