MAIDSTONE — Canada Day 2025 in Maidstone was filled with sunshine and festive activities from early morning to darkness (albeit a minor rain and windstorm in the afternoon).
The pancake breakfast by Maidstone and District Bowling Club at the Legion Hall was a delicious start, with about 220 people attending. Sam Kennedy was the lucky winner of $170 in the 50/50.
Starting at 9 a.m., Parade Marshall Bill Foster organized everyone along 4th Street East in a terrific lineup complete with RCMP, emergency vehicles, bicycles, scooters, floats, specialty vehicles, tractors, dancers and horses. The judges made decisions in four categories: bicycles - first Charlotte, second Kristopher, third Mickaylah (all Kalmakoff children); scooters - tied: Irene Olson, Joyce Orange and Judy Rhinehart; floats and vehicles - first Carson Century Farm, second Maidstone Girl Guides, third Maidstone Motel. Special mention to the light horse riders: Olivia Carson, Sage Carson, Rachel Oddan, Lori and Kacey Valliere, Savannah Carson and Louise Sroka, and to Selena's School of Dance, whose girls danced their way all around town.
Thank you to returning judges, Betty Dekker, Verna Donald and Cindy Hogan. Thanks to Jug's Trucking for again looking after the bike prizes. Special thanks to Bill Foster, who is celebrating 25 years as parade marshal, buying the ribbons and putting together other special prizes at his own expense, plus organizing the parade. What a fantastic job, Bill.
The opening ceremony took place on Maidstone Museum's deck with Town Councillor Eleanor Pegg welcoming everyone and Leah Banks beautifully leading the singing of O Canada. Sharon Ruud managed the museum guest book and handed out an assortment of Canadian souvenirs and toys provided by Maidstone Museum, Town of Maidstone, AG Foods and a personal donor. The museum’s summer employee, Saidai Mosher, was available for tours all day.
Activity in the museum's front yard included face painting by Maidstone Travel Group, whose volunteers created some amazing designs. Assorted games such as a foam machine, cornhole, axe throw, bottle knock-down, ring tosses, bubble blowing, photo station and a kiddy pool kept the kids happy and busy.
Slow tractor races got underway by 11:30 a.m. with a great lineup of entries. Albert Duhaime and Doug Utri kept everyone on track, scorekeeper was Dewey Taylor and Richard Meynberg oversaw the event. Following is the list of winners.
Over 2 mph: first David Valliere (John Deere A), second Vince Gerlinsky (McCormack-Deering 1930), third Albert Duhaime (Farmall A); Under 2 mph: first Les Graham (White), second Bill McLaren (John Deere 70), third Keith Crocker (John Deere 520), fourth William Crocker (John Deere 620); Garden tractors: first Richard Meynberg (Massey), second Keaton Breadner (John Deere); box and chain: first Albert Duhaime (Farmall A), second Bill McLaren (John Deere 70), third Vince Gerlinsky (McCormack-Deering 1930).
Following the tractor races, Vince Gerlinsky hooked up his impressive wagon and gave everyone rides through the park for a few hours.
The Pie Shack did a brisk business all day with their one-quarter pie slices and, new this year, beavertails. I didn't get any, but I heard they were huge and scrumptious.
The horseshoe tournament got underway at 1 p.m. and despite an untimely weather delay, all the players continued to the end. Thanks, Ben and Jack, for keeping everything on track. The winning team donated the prize money back to the organizers.
Back at the museum, Maidstone Library’s storyboard walk advertising the Summer Reading Program led the way to the schoolhouse, where storytime and craft activity were provided by Mickey, Emily and Karli. Entertainment on the deck included a lively dance performance by some of the girls from Selena’s School of Dance, followed by toe-tapping music by the Yellowhead Ramblers.
In the museum courtyard, vendors sold an assortment of wares, and the concession did such a booming business, they had to restock a few times. Their team of workers did an awesome job keeping up with the crowd. Behind the barbershop, the mini petting zoo thrilled everyone with a Jersey calf, goat, sheep, turkey and bunnies. Many compliments were given for adding this to the activities this year.
The museum ran a scavenger hunt from morning to mid-afternoon, with prizes going to all participants. At 2 p.m., a variety of children's races commenced with three age categories and the following results. Spoon-egg race: under six Dallyn first, Gavin second; six to eight Carter and Vera; nine to 10 Harper and Bohdi. Sack race: under six Betty and Gavin; six to eight Brooklyn and Turnor; nine to 10 Harper and Nash. Flat races: under six Kolter and Betty, six to eight Luella and Jude; nine to 10 Sylvie and Nash.
Then came the straw stack scramble. Children in the three age groups searched through the straw for coins and candy, then everyone came back in for a final scramble. The kids are always thrilled with their finds in this old-time treasure hunt.
We almost didn't have a beverage garden in the park since no one volunteered to run it, but the Chamber of Commerce stepped up at the last minute. It wasn’t the usual tent, but they opened up from 2 to 8 p.m. and many people enjoyed the opportunity to have a cool one while sitting out in the hot sun. Other activities wound down by 4 p.m., with the splash park open till 9 p.m. Some folks missed not having a ball tournament, so they put a couple of teams together and played their own game.
At dusk, a terrific fireworks display, supplied by the Town of Maidstone through a grant, signalled the end to another astounding Canada Day in Maidstone.
Much appreciation is extended to the volunteers who worked hard to bring us another memorable Canada Day in Maidstone. Many of us are on burnout. If you enjoyed the festivities this year, please answer the call for help next year.
