OUTLOOK - It was three days of nonstop entertainment, activities, games, food and drinks in the irrigation capital of the province, and this year's event seemed to offer something for everyone of every age.
The 4th annual Prairie Festival kicked off in Outlook on Friday, May 30 at the grounds of the heritage museum, starting things off with opening ceremonies as Métis elder Barb Parchman blessed the weekend's festivities before LCBI student Abby Calvin performed O Canada.
Parchman appeared earlier in the day with over 30 local students from OES, OHS and LCBI for a special cultural experience in the Bounty Theatre hall, where the kids learned about her deep roots in the Lac Pelletier Métis settlement. As a respected Elder, Parchman presents a wealth of knowledge to those that she shares with, teaching the students how to jig, cook bannock over fire, and explored more history and traditions of the Métis people.
On the stage, Lecrima Diaz thrilled people with a Filipino folk dance before Abby Calvin returned to the stage to show off a hip-hop dance routine, followed by students Akasha Inverarity, Raine Roettger, and Jordyn Armstrong from Outlook Dance presenting their own routine.
Keeping with the musical theme of the evening, Friday's headliner was performer Lisa Moen and her band Full Throttle, returning to their roots for the night and giving the growing audience under the tent a diverse, head-bobbing show full of all the classics that people come to expect. In between Moen's sets, Outlook singer Syhra Ellis wowed spectators with her vocal talents, giving depth to a number of notable hits as she also accompanied the lyrics on the keyboard.
As fun as Friday was for people, things were only getting started for the weekend as Saturday presented a deeper menu of things for people to do and see, with a Kids Zone on the museum lawn keeping kids entertained while a show n' shine classic car show got the attention of many onlookers.
In the Bounty Theatre, a presentation of onscreen interviews conducted by those with the Conquest Museum gathered a sizable crowd. Presented by Bob Jones, the interviews were conducted as a way to spotlight local stories and to provide depth to the sizable history of the village once known as the Caragana Capital of Canada. It's expected that more screenings of these interviews will be done in the coming months, and once it's all edited into one documentary-like presentation, it will be made available for purchase.
Out by the museum's front entrance, a vendor trade show also attracted people stopping by to look over the wares and pick up some interesting items, whether it was some strongly scented candles, an eye-catching drink mug, or even a few refreshments from Happy Days Mobile Snacks.
When people weren't enjoying something to eat from one of the five food trucks on site, their eyes were on the stage, where performers Kevin Harcourt, Glen Adair, and Jolie Blue took to performing at different intervals throughout the day. After some downtime where people enjoyed visiting, eating and further taking in the events of the day, the headliners for Saturday took to the stage as the Riverbottom Boys gave the audience a show to remember for quite some time. Martin Rude, Rick Myrol, Chris Akre and Curtis Akre played their hearts out for hours, and in between breaks, other performers such as Marshall Rude took up the drums while Travis Myrol stepped in to perform a few tunes alongside his dad Rick.
Adding in some more family, at one point there was a picture of two families onstage at once, with Martin Rude joined by sons Marshall and Josh, Chris Akre joined of course by his son Curtis but also his daughter Syhra, and Rick Myrol continuing to play in the middle of all the family. The image made for a memorable stamp in which to remember this particular weekend in Outlook.
Sunday put a focus on local talent in the community area as Outlook's Got Talent took place on the main stage, with a prize of $500 up for grabs, as well as $50 and certificates for runner up performers. Young violinists A-OK Strings, dancers Akasha Inverarity, Raine Roettger, and Jordyn Armstrong from En Pointe Studios in Outlook, singer Syhra Ellis, 80's-inspired dancers Arial and Johanice, singer Jemimah Joy Medina, singer Lizel Sapa, and young dancing duo Arya Tweet and Jazzy Wagner took to the stage and gave it their all in the competition. Votes for each performer were gained by the public, who paid $1 per vote for the performer of their choice.
When all the votes were tallied, the winning duo was young Arya and Jazzy, who seemed to dance into the hearts of many voters.
With that, the 2025 Prairie Festival weekend came to an end, with many memorable moments still on the minds of attendees and organizers getting many props for running the three-day event smoothly. Of particular note was the presence of the large tent where people gathered, shielding them from the sun and much of the wind.
The date for the 5th edition of the Prairie Festival has already been set, taking place May 29-31 of next year, with singer Syhra Ellis already confirmed to perform as a headliner.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF THIS YEAR'S FESTIVITIES! IMAGES BY DEREK RUTTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
