ARCOLA - The Arcola Fair did not disappoint those that attended.
June 24 brought even more life to the small town when they held their annual fair.
Last year people recalled the weather being nasty, with cool temperatures, wind and rain.
Elaine Hislop from the Arcola Insurance Agency welcomed the lovely weather.
The day began with breakfast at the fairgrounds, served by the Arcola Fire Department and the RM of Brock.
At 7 a.m. people started to arrive, gathering for the pancake and sausage breakfast which ran until 9 a.m.
Then it was time for the parade, with judging at 10:15 a.m. and the parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. D and D Drone Services had the eye in the sky to take photos and have footage of the day.
A horse and rider started the procession, carrying the Canadian flag, while another rider held the American flag.
Floats, antique tractors, the Shriners, classic vehicles, horseback riders, fire trucks and children on bikes added to the lineup.
Main Street and Balmoral Avenue were lined with people and eager children looked for candy.
As the streets emptied, the fairgrounds filled up and the concession line grew with hungry people, waiting for burgers and hotdogs. Seven hundred burgers were sold.
The slo-pitch ball tournament, with five teams entered was already underway, but at the end of the day it would be the Manor Mayhems taking the $1,000 prize. Dusty Bandinos placed second and third went to The Rezistance.
When the trade show began at the Arcola Prairie Place Hall, it would see a steady flow of people throughout the day, with 23 tables filled with crafts and trades.
Over on the rink side, the Optimist Kids’ Zone had bouncy castles, which also saw a steady line of children.
Kids flocked to Chicoine’s Petting Zoo when it opened. The well-organized pens kept the animals safe and the kids happy with the many different animals. Chicoine’s brought calves, a donkey, goats, Bahama sheep, and Jacob sheep that have four horns. He also had an alpaca, ducks, chickens and rabbits. One pen hosted bottle-fed babies that the kids go in and play with.
Syd Chicoine is from Storthoaks and does this petting zoo on a regular basis.
At the exhibition hall, 228 entries of crafts, baking, preserves and handmade items could be viewed on display until 5 p.m.
Magician Danny Kazam kept kids entertained throughout the afternoon.
The talent show brought lots of spectators as 17 talented individuals took to the stage. In the senior’s division, Olvia Brownridge took first, Reese Karlunchuck placed second and Kobe Wotta was third.
In juniors, first went to Reagan Kohler-Hjertaas, second to Victoria Paton and third to Adalee Weston and Lily Sheridan.
The Junior Mel Grimes Family Memorial Steer and Heifer show began at noon, with over 100 cattle entering the ring at one point during the day.
Over $15,000 in prize money would be distributed to the 14 classes, which showed Angus, red Angus, black Angus, Simmentals, Herefords, gelbvieh and shorthorns.
Each class would be awarded $500 in cash prizes, with the grand champion steer and heifer receiving $4,000, and there would also be a reserve champion steer and heifer.
Grand champion heifer went to Delta Hippe from Lloydminster and reserve champion heifer went to Bryan Rasmuson of Midale.
Grand champion steer went to Emma Lees of Arcola and reserve champion steer went to Kehler Eaton.
In the agriculture pavilion there was a silent auction with 35 items to bid on and a 50/50 draw.
When this all ended, the band Ten Mile High came to the stage to entertain until midnight.
