For those in the Battlefords who celebrate the return of Those Were The Days, the countdown is on.
The North Battleford Western Development Museum invites all ages to step into the past Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Those Were the Days is an institution of summer in the Battlefords.
The Parade of Power is an exposition of volunteer pride, with the "gas guys" and the "steam guys" chugging and puffing their vintage machines down the village streets along with horse-drawn vehicles. This highlight of the weekend goes each day at 5 p.m.
The demonstrations of threshing and field work, fire truck rides and participation activities draw all ages. Touring the village buildings and the indoor exhibit hall offers glimpses into life as experienced on the prairies in the 1920s.
Other activities include wagon and vintage automobile rides, miniature train rides, light horse demonstrations, a trade show, a dog show, wood sawing and splitting and a heritage fashion show.
Back for another year is the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association sanctioned BBQ Showdown. Certified barbecue judges will score entries on appearance, tenderness and taste.
Special events for 2013 include the unveiling of a Ford Model A, restored by the North Battleford WDM and the Vintage Vehicle Club, and a re-mudding demonstration of the Royal North West Mounted Police barracks.
This year will also see a Ferris wheel for the kids. With bouncy tents, a petting zoo and other children's activities, there will be lots for the younger members of the family to do.
There will be lots to eat as well, with the Garden Cafe in the Summer Hall, the Tea Room on Main Street and a food booth, beer gardens and barbecue pit on the east lawn.
In his first appearance at Those Were the Days, Will Gough's Aussie Whip Show is sure to be entertaining. Gough, five-year Australian whip cracking champion with 46 years experience, performs across western Canada.
Singer songwriter Mitch Daigneault will provide the Saturday evening entertainment. Daigneault won Best Country Album for the CD Keep On Believing at the 2003 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.
Admission for adults is $15 daily ($25 weekend pass), seniors/students $13 daily ($20 weekend pass), children 12 and under are free and a family pass is $35 daily ($50 weekend pass). Here's another reminder that a WDM membership would come in handy. Those Were the Days would be free!
