One of the largest Canada Day crowds to have ever in recent memory gathered at the Kamsack sports ground turned up last week to wave the flag, eat, drink, play and cheer in celebration of the 148th anniversary of the nation.
The heavy smoke which permeated all of the province last week was said to have been a bit of a blessing because it blocked the sun’s heating rays thereby lowering the daytime temperature somewhat.
The day’s activities began at 8:30 a.m. with parents of the Sadok Ukrainian Dancers serving a pancake breakfast. At 9 a.m., the sixteam slo-pitch tournament, organized by members of
the Kamsack Royals slopitch team, began and the Kamsack Swimming Pool allowed swimmers into the pool free of charge.
Supporters of the Royals looked after the refreshment stand.
“We had over 50 people in the pool that morning,” Kev Sumner, an organizer of the day’s activities, said.
At 11 a.m., the concession, operated by the Kamsack air cadets, parents and supporters began selling hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks.
The concession stand did very good, Karen Bodnaryk, squadron commanding officer, said, adding that the concession was so successful that three times during the day, they had run out of supplies.
“I think we ended up buying all the hamburger buns in town,” Bodnaryk said. “It was crazy.” Bodnaryk extended a big thanks to all of the customers and cadets’ supporters.
At noon Trevor Kerr of Stockholm turned on his sound system to play music at the beer garden area and he had two gigantic inflatable toys ready for energetic children to bounce, crawl and roll upon.
At 1 p.m., when members of town council raised the Canadian flag, members of the Kamsack Community Choir sang O Canada and several numbers from their Colour My World concert held last month. Among the selections was a reprise of the popular Purple People Eater, complete with a return visit of the Purple People Eater.
Mayor Rod Gardner, assisted by his wife, Val, and other members of town council, cut and served three large cakes that were decorated with Canada and Kamsack themes.
After singing O Canada as the Canadian fl ag was ceremoniously raised, members of the Kamsack Community Choir performed several selections from their Colour My World spring concert. Kamsack’s Canada Day celebration showed a lot of community spirit competiton began at about 1 p.m., Lloyd Smith of Pelly showed up with his team of horses pulling a wagon and began to offer
wagon rides around the sports ground.
At 3 p.m., the Polka Pals, a Kamsack band comprised of Bill Zbeetnoff, Alvin Makowsky, Brent Toporowski, Peter Cherkas, Fred Chorney, Danny Horkoff and Allan Kondratoff began a onehour set.
Saskatchewan country artist Blake Berglund took Lloyd Smith of Pelly brought two horses and a wagon to Kamsack on Canada Day to offer wagon rides around the sports ground. to the stage at 6 p.m. for a concert that lasted more than two hours.
Performing with a member of his band, Berglund said he “loved” performing at the Kamsack venue, Sumner said. “In fact, he said he wanted to return.”
At dusk, members of the Kamsack fire department, including Jim Pollock and Ken Thompson, held their traditional Canada Day fireworks display.
“The general feeling was that everyone seemed to have been pleased with the day,” Sumner said. “If we build on that, it will only get stronger and better next year.”
The celebration showed a lot of community spirit, he said, thanking everyone who participated.
