(see Photo Gallery below)
The Preeceville and District Mushers Rendezvous kicked off on February 3 with a talent show at the Preeceville Legion Hall where 15 artists and dancers were featured.
Rhonda Cook and Brittnay Halkyard were the emcees. Jeannette Jaques, her granddaughter, Shelby Cook and her mother Rhonda Cook sang O Canada prior to the beginning of the talent show.
Throughout the evening Halkyard gave information about the Preeceville Community Hall, Endeavour School Complex and Sturgis Community Hall because proceeds from the musher event were to be distributed between the three halls.
Audience members had the opportunity to vote for their favourite act and make donations in lieu of their votes.
"The talents show went over great with a lot of different talent," said Halkyard. The Preeceville and Sturgis schools sold paper dogs with top sellers winning a cash prize of $100 and the top class receiving an ice cream party. In Preeceville, Kendra Hueser and the Kindergarten class received the ice cream party. In Sturgis, Autumn Rose won the $100 cash prize and the Grade 3 class won the party.
The talent show began with Brittany Vewchar performing a solo.
Studio Dance One club members performed four dances: two jazz dances, one hip hop and one tap dance. Members who participated were: Asia Kilborn, Addison Danielson, Hayley Payette, Alexis Firmna, Emerson Strykowski, Autumn Rose, Chloe Bourassa, Chloe Chornomitz, Katryna Englot, Mia Mitchell, Kiera Balyski and Maggie Bartel.
Hein Bertram performed a musical number on the trumpet and accordion.
Alecia Shuba performed a Ukrainian dance solo.
Willie Jakubowski was accompanied by Stepahnie Pristie, Stella Holmes, Vicky and John Kowal and June Jakubowski in a musical performance.
The Filipino children performed a rap dance. Members were Franz, Fiona and Floyd Pinaroc, Eloisa Vincente and Janhia Irlandez.
Jeff Davis, Les DeRuiter and Laura Chartrand performed a trio act.
The Filipino Community band of Butch Pinaroc, Jake Dela Torre, Julius Irlandez and Bimbert Coreos performed three musical selections.
Jesse Nelson sang a solo.
Dr. Shamsher Singh and his family performed a Bhangra folk dance of Punjab India.
Camryn Nelson performed a piano solo.
The Woodland Chorus of Willie Jakubowski, Ray Scarth and Jack Jaques concluded the performances.
The favourite act voted by the audience was Dr. Shamsher Singh and his family.
The evening concluded with a dessert and beverage.
