It may not be the full Northwest Territorial Days that people are used to, but the Battlefords Ag Society is a go for a number of events in mid-August.
The bulk will happen at the time usually scheduled for Northwest Territorial Days, but Ag Society manager Jocelyn Ritchie is careful to say it will not be a full fair event.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want people to think it鈥檚 a fair because it鈥檚 not,鈥� said Ritchie.
Nevertheless, there will be a parade and midway rides in mid-August, while the demolition derby has been pushed back to September as a stand-alone event.
The Ag Society had seen a number of challenges in securing a midway for this summer. Their regular supplier, West Coast Amusements, was unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions and staffing issues.
It was initially thought there would be no midway available. However, the Ag Society never gave up and have been successful in securing an alternative supplier.
The midway is being provided by Wild Rose Shows out of Alberta. Ritchie said it is a smaller scale company than West Coast Amusements, but they are able to provide some rides, games and fair food from Aug. 19 to 21.
Admission for those three days is free, but ride bracelets will be on sale soon. Presale ride bracelets will be sold for $37 at the Ag Society or online. The Ag Society is urging people check their website for more details.
There are also plans to host a 鈥渇un horse day鈥� on Aug. 21.
Also, the annual Northwest Territorial Parade is confirmed as a go for Aug. 16, with this year鈥檚 theme being 鈥淭he Great Outdoors.鈥�
The parade begins at 7 p.m. at Access Communications Centre in North Battleford, and will go through the city streets. For more information or to enter a float, people are urged to visit or call 306-445-2024.
A staple of Northwest Territorial Days, the demolition derby, will go ahead Sept. 11 at 1 p.m.
In addition to the normal cars, the plan is to add some mini cars with their own heats, as well as a new barrel racing event. Ritchie said they also hope to have a show and shine that day.
A community garage sale is scheduled to go the following week at the Agriplex on Sept. 18. Tables are $10 each plus taxes and reservations are being taken.
Pandemic restrictions have made it challenging for the Ag Society to host events, which led to staff departures.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really difficult because basically we lost all of our staff, so we are in the process of having totally new people that have never done anything like this before,鈥� said Ritchie. They are also actively looking for sponsorships and urges anyone interested to contact their office.
She is assuring residents the Ag Society plans to put on a safe and entertaining event with what they do have this year.
鈥淚 just hope everybody comes out. I hope COVID(-19) really is done, and we can kind of get back to normal,鈥� Ritchie said.
