(More photos below...)
Along with the featured chariot and chuckwagon races, there were numerous other activities to keep everyone busy at the Preeceville and District Lions Club Western Weekend on July 10 to 12.
All the proceeds from the Preeceville Volunteer Fire Department’s ice cream booth are to go towards the victims of the fires in the La Ronge district. Many people had to evacuate the La Ronge area. Among the many volunteers helping out during the weekend were Wendy and Demi Ahenakew who were recently evacuated from their home and were staying with her parents Roy and Geraldine Fairburn in Preeceville.
O and E Concession of Canora provided sweet treats such as candy apples and cotton candy, and popcorn. Kevin Krotenko of Pelly had his unique chain saw collection on display. He has over 50 different types of saws on display.
“I love chainsaws and got into collecting them when my uncle Larry Chase from Preeceville gave me my first one many years ago. Since then my collection has exploded and I am very proud of it,” said Krotenko. One of the more special saws in his collection was built in 1940 and has a nine-foot bar. It weights about 175 pounds and was said to be the largest chainsaw ever built in Canada. He also has a 1954 diesel saw, and a URAL saw from Germany, which is said to have been very popular with Adolph Hitler.
Leading Aviation of Yorkton offered airplane rides on Saturday. Shayna Waite, Miss Teen Eastern Saskatchewan, organized face painting and she had a pie sale with all the proceeds going to the Free the Children foundation. Gerald Ignatuik gave children rides in his barrel ride that he pulled with his ATV.
Inflatable bouncy castles provided some extra fun for the children in attendance. On Saturday afternoon, children played a variety of games. The games included: ball toss, bean bag toss, shark tank fishing, ladder game, golf Frisbee, beach volleyball and a large checker board. The games were coordinated by the Town of Preeceville recreation board.
A MAIN Street van (Moving Ahead in Neighbourhoods) mobile family resource was in attendance with numerous fun activities for children up to five years of age.
MAIN is an outreach program supported by Regional Kids First Community Developers and partnering agencies to serve rural communities within the Southeast Region. MAIN Street is aligned with Saskatchewan’s Child and Family agenda which has the goal of ensuring all children get a good start in life within healthy families and supportive, safe communities.
Also during the weekend, there was a total of $2,300 in prize money won at the ball tournaments which featured co-ed slo-pitch, senior slo-pitch and fastball.
Bob McLane and Against the Grain supplied the music for the open-air dance. Sunday morning was kicked off with a pancake breakfast followed by a Christian Cowboy Service at the sports grounds.
The Preeceville and District Lioness Club sponsored bingo under the big top during the two days. A gymkhana, sponsored by the Etomaimie Valley Riders Club, was held on Saturday and Sunday. A concession and beer gardens were available on both days.
The Preeceville Volunteer Fire Department was responsible for keeping the track watered for dust control and members sold 50/50 tickets. Maple Farm Equipment and Rocky Mountain Equipment employees harrowed the in-field of the track.
