The third annual Summer Sizzle in Hafford was another success as visitors, guests and community members attended the one-day event. Once again the event was a spectacular display of community spirit, team work, laughter and local support.
The beautiful summer day contributed to the smiles as people mingled through the street fair set up along Main Street. The street fair provided an opportunity for people to enjoy fresh spudnuts, cotton candy, hot dogs and hamburgers from vendors along Main Street. Spectators could also sample delicious treats and purchase items from the large selection of wares from woodwork and home-made jewellery to crochet sewn items and art.
A pancake breakfast kicked off the festivities Saturday morning at the Senior Centre. The parade organized by Team Youth Force followed the breakfast. Twenty-six parade entries representing local and surrounding area businesses and organizations as well as vintage vehicles and horse drawn wagons, entertained the crowd lined streets. Children waited in anticipation for each floats arrival to receive the treats thrown out to them. Bill and Steve Puto were the parade announcers.
Other attractions for the day included the dunk tank, inflatable play area for children, face tattoos, children's author book signing and the Super Sizzle Soap Box Derby.
The soap box derby was a well attended spectator sport. Organizers, once again, made use of Main Street's natural slope and used the south side to run the derby races. The number of entries were up from the previous year and so were the designs. Constructed of wood, all were designed for speed. From the Reid's aerodynamic machine to the return of the plain and simple Rick's Wreck and all in between - the racers truly made the show. First place in the stock class went to Cole Reid with a time of 14.78 seconds, second went to Gillian Oliver with a time of 14.96 seconds, third went to Jen Krsacok with a time of 22.47 seconds. First place in the super stock class was Rayna Yasieniuk with 20.06 seconds, second went to Ethan Oliver with 20.22 and Brook Kowalchuk with 20.97 seconds. Master stock first place honours went to Joseph Tanchak with a time of 21.22 seconds, Lucas Lafreniere placed second with 23.10 and Riley Yasieniuk was third with 24.19 seconds. Open stock first place was awarded to Joseph Tanchak with 16 seconds, Rick Ruedger with 18.86 was second and Braden Kowalchuk placed third.
Local musicians entertained the audience throughout the afternoon from the bandstand. A youth talent show was held showcasing the talents of the youth from singing and dancing to playing musical instruments and performing martial arts demonstrations.
The Lakeland Library Hafford Branch was privileged to host a children's author book signing opportunity in conjunction with the Summer Sizzle event. Marion Mutala wrote Baba's Babushka, a fictional children's book about a young girl who has an opportunity, through a magical babushka, to travel back in time and view her grandmother in her youth during a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve celebration. Mutala read some passages from her book then offered to sign book purchases. Mutala just completed her second book about Ukrainian Easter and anticipates it will be released in time for Christmas.
The evening concluded with fireworks and a street dance with music by Steve and the Takers and Brat.
Hafford Summer Sizzle was originally held in celebration of the completion of the Hafford Sustainability Plan, but has since taken a life of its own. Local community groups take the initiative to operate a venue rather than have one committee responsible for all events which has been a huge success in spreading both the workload and money. The refreshment and raffle proceeds go towards funding the band for the evening street dance and any money surpassing the expenses go to the Community Beautification Project.
Last year, a large barbecue was purchased to be used for large community functions or rented for private functions. The unit can cook up to 65 burgers and also has grills for cooking pancakes.
Plans are underway for the fourth annual event. If you have a chance, check out the soap box races next year, or better yet, build your own and race it.
