MAYFAIR — The big white combine has arrived. You are wondering what’s this all about? A hailstorm passed through north of Rabbit Lake, so harvesting crops there will be a quick go-through because Mother Nature is the “big white combine.”
Hopefully farmers carry hail insurance. Every year and everywhere farmers face this nightmare. Always a reminder it could be way worse.
Spending a full day at Ness Creek Festival near Big River was entertaining this past Saturday with the thousands of people in their “giddey outfits.” There were many workshops offered, from learning how to square dance, basket and willow weaving, free-hand painting classes, nature walk with a well-known woman instructing us on the medicinal benefits of trees and plants, plus many more worthy workshops. Vendors galore from all over Canada sell their wares and homemade products. The music was going all night long, but I left at 10 p.m., thus calling it a fun-filled day and a long drive back. I met a neighbour farm lady and we “hung out” for a couple of wonderful hours. Carol had a pass for all weekend and camped in one of the designated camping areas.
At Ness Creek Festival, children were engaged in hourly daytime fun and inspiring activities so parents could wander off and their children are in the capable hands of volunteers. Some activities included egg walk, music time, making of paper dragons, bracelet making and much more. It’s estimated that close to 4,000 attendees were on the large Ness Creek ground for the past weekend. This is the largest one in the year as other festivals are on a smaller scale.
Years back, this festival is known to be the “hippie pot smoking” event, but has welcomed gays, queers, transgenders and others. A society as a whole loving community. One couldn’t smell much pot, but I’m sure many “gummies” were ingested. All in all, it was an experience for the admission of a one-day pass of $115 at the front gate. Gate prices for Thursday to Sunday were $285, but advance was $235. There was also a charge for camping. People were scrutinized at the gate as if one is a criminal. The country festival I volunteered at three weeks ago had a much simpler format for the crowd.
Small communities know how to celebrate the summer weekends and this was so true at Shell Lake’s Hey Days this past weekend. I drove there on Sunday, the last day. There was a pickleball tournament and the local historic museum was open, along with a few interesting shops. In the early days, the “Hey Days” featured horse-drawn wagons and an old-fashioned relay race where participants paddled across the lake, then rode horseback up to Memorial Hill and then ran up the steep slope. Back then, the participants wore pioneer costumes. It’s changed over the years. Saturday was the big day, which had the largest crowd ever. Pancake breakfast, parade, petting zoo, scavenger hunt and bouncy castles make this a family-oriented event. A show and shine and musical entertainment were crowd pleasers. Artisan vendors were not disappointed with their sales as visitors from over 100 miles were in attendance.
As senior members of the local board say, it’s all about coming together, supporting one another and making it an affordable weekend. The local businesses put on events just to bring people into town. The many volunteers can now have a “slow-paced” summer. Without them, these functions would never take place.
Family reunions in the warmer months, where people can mostly entertain outside, are wonderful. Every three years, Faye and Keith Liebaert of Mayfair host one on their farmyard. Approximately 40 were in attendance from Thursday to Sunday. Faye (nee Dean) grew up on a farm near Craik, so this reunion was for the Dean family. Some members travelled from Alberta. The weather did co-operate for the ones who tented overnight.
The Doukhobor Dugout House National Historic Site of Canada will be having entertainment, vendors, nature walks and bread-making demonstrations on clay wood-fuelled ovens Saturdays, July 26 and Aug. 2, 9,16 and 23.
Homemade bread is $10 a loaf throughout July and August, made by Doukhobor elders using the traditional recipe. I’ve eaten this last year and yes, it is mouth-watering fresh from the oven. This is situated near Blaine Lake and is a worthwhile place to visit on an “unbeaten track” to the middle of nowhere near the beautiful river banks. Call 306-497-7747 for more information.
Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., take a drive to Hafford, Marcelin, Leask and Aldina districts for a self-guided artist tour. This is called “12-40 and Beyond Tour,” which has been going strong for the past 22 years. An adventure in rural life as advertised. Along the places of interest to stop would be the crooked trees near Alticane (northwest of Hafford), Redberry Lake Regional Park and further away Honeywood Nursery near Parkside. All 12 venues are advertised to be within a 30-minute drive from Blaine Lake. There are restaurants in Leask, Marcelin and Blaine Lake or pack a picnic lunch. One can take advantage of the picnic sites available at most venues.
Artisans and artists showcase their handcrafted items and artwork, which is for sale or view. Most have business cards, so if there is something you’d love to buy but are unable to at this time, a future phone call can be made. Make it a fun day with a few friends and you never know what treasures are to be found.
All sorts of berries seem to be in abundance in most areas that received a decent amount of rain. The saskatoon berries are large, and the competitors for all berries on the prairies are usually the birds, but now that bears are a common sight, they also like berries. Gardeners pride in their raspberry, haskup, strawberry and sour cherry patches. This all takes time and patience and berry picking isn’t a “hobby” for everyone.
