The Canora Ag Days, held on August 13 and 14 at the sports grounds, received “nothing but positive response,” said Kelly Ostafie, president of the Canora Agricultural Society.
The organization wasn’t sure how the turnout would be this year, but luckily, the events brought in a steady stream of people from around the Canora area. Included in the festivities were chariot races, chuckwagon races, gymkhana competitions, a car show, a burnout competition, a slo-pitch tournament, and a pancake breakfast. A bouncy tent was also set up for children, while adults could enjoy their time at a beer garden with live music.
The Eastern Pony Chariot and Chuckwagon Association (EPCCA) organized the chariots and chuckwagon races, which featured 52 entries from around the Saskatchewan area. The best times in the races for both days were recorded.
In the chariot races, Casey Peterson placed first, with Colleen Galloway and Breanne Bratton placing second and third respectively. The chuckwagon races, which took place over 13 heats, had Floyd Hooge winning first place. Larry Salmond placed second, while Ryan Peterson placed third.
The Eastern Gymkhana Club ran gymkhana events over the Canora Ag Days, including barrel races, poles, keyhole races, and ribbon races. A total of 68 competitors rode over the weekend, according to Chelsey Tasa.
The winners in the events were as follows: senior barrels, Kim Salmond and Farrah Fogg; senior poles, senior keyhole, and senior ribbon, Jodi Suchoplas; junior barrels, Dakota Longman and Mercedes Blight; junior poles, Jessenta Woloshyn and Cheyanne Hue; junior keyhole, Dakota Longman; junior ribbon, Cheyanne Hue; peewee barrels and poles, Kreece Hrebarchuk and Kain Salmond; peewee keyhole, Kreece Hrebarchuk; peewee ribbon, Klai Longman; weepee barrels, weepee poles, and weepee keyhole, Marty Salmond; and weepee ribbon; Jorja Salmond.
Another big event for the weekend was the Cruisers Car Show, organized by Eugene Keyowski, who said he was glad to hold and participate in the event. He hopes to bring the event back for a day for next year’s Ag Days.
Trophies, made by Keyowski out of car parts, were presented to the winners of eight different categories. The 1940-and-older category was won by Al Pesko, who entered his 1929 Rat Rod. Keyowski won the 1950-1950 category, as well as the People’s Choice Award, for his 1958 Edsel. Early Goretzky and his 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner won the 1960-1969 category, while John Gyug won the 1970-1979 category with his 1970 Dodge Charger. Iona Hleboff entered her 1981 Chevrolet Camaro and won the 1980-and-newer category. The best truck was Doreen Kobelka’s 1967 Mercedes truck, and the best motorcycle was Doug O’Dell’s 2006 Harley Davidson.
Along with the car show was a burnout competition hosted by Grant Dutchack. There were six entries in the second year of the competition, and Mike Andrusko of Sturgis won the trophy.
Dutchack says the competition was “just a fun, small thing,” but thanks the town for letting him set up the competition, as well as his sponsors, Kal Tire, Canora Auto, and Canora Equipment Rentals. He also thanks Kamsack Countryside Service for providing the plates that the burnout is done on.
During the weekend, the Canora slo-pitch tournament, organized by James Trofimenkoff, was held in tandem with the festivities, and brought in 15 teams from Canora, Invermay, Endeavour, Kamsack, Pelly, Regina, and the surrounding areas. Teams were divided into three pools of four teams and one pool of three teams. Round robin games were played, and the semi-finals and finals were held on August 14.
Skoden was the A side winner, with the runner-up being McThundersticks. The B side was won by Border Breakers, who defeated the Alcoballics. The C side was won by the Mighty Drunks by beating the team Chive.
A tent was set up on the sports grounds to hold a beer garden and entertainment. The Canora Music Society organized live entertainment both days. Beginning Saturday afternoon, Kerry Jones provided country music, followed by the one-man band, Jimbo Betts. Donna and Diane of Norquay performed before Strange Brew took the stage. The headliner was Rock Bottom, a cover band from Saskatoon.
On Sunday, performers included Rayne Eiteneier, Sabrina Moshenko, and Elizabeth Ashley. A young group known as 13th Floor also performed, along with the Whitesand Band. Jessica Kwas said the performances were a great addition to the successful weekend, and the members of the Canora Music Society hope to work with the Canora Agricultural Society in the future.
The festivities continued with a pancake breakfast and cowboy church service on August 14. A kids’ pet and costume show was also organized. In between the usual races, Harvey McFarlen demonstrated a chariot led by eight horses, and performed many exciting tricks.
All in all, the event was a success, Ostafie said, and one that made him confident in his plans to keep expanding the Canora Agricultural Society as well as the Ag Days. In future years, he plans to build a permanent facility with a stage and bathrooms for the events.
“The recreation director is fully on board, and the town is very accommodating,” he said.
The event was organized by the help of every member of the Canora Agricultural Society, as well as a few non-members who enjoyed volunteering.
“Although our members are exhausted from continued work, Ukrainian stubbornness keeps them from quitting.”
Ostafie would like to thank the Town of Canora, all the organizers and volunteers involved, and everyone who attended. All the proceeds from the event go towards the sports grounds. Ostafie also encourages anyone who wishes to become a member of the Canora Agricultural Society and become a part of events like these to contact him.
