The Villages of Colgate and Goodwater, along with the Rural Municipality of Lomond, are celebrating their 100th anniversary with a three-day event meant to bring together the people that carry a piece of the southeast Saskatchewan area in their hearts.
Reeve of Lomond RM no. 37 John McKenzie said that he hopes that all current and past dwellers of the area will come out for the event.
"This is a great opportunity for friends and relatives to come together for a really good visit, and events like these tend to do that."
Although registration was due by June 1, McKenzie said there is still time to be part of the festivities.
"People are still welcome, just let us know the numbers."
McKenzie said they need to know how many people they will have for the roast beef supper on Saturday, July 23, and is asking people to contact the RM office as soon as possible if they intend on coming.
The weekend event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 22 with a guest sign in and entertainment to follow at the Goodwater Memorial Rink, where most of the festivities will take place.
"Cowboy Poets" Gene Gilmore and Dale Colby will be presenting an entertaining history of the RM through poetry.
During his research for the poem, Colby discovered a few interesting facts about the area.
"There was a fellow awarded the medal of courage for farming with polio," stated Colby.
"I believe Lomond started the first beef cattle 4-H Club in Saskatchewan," He added.
The history of Colgate and Goodwater will be presented by area youths Sarah Underwood and Kaylee McKenzie, respectively.
After the entertainment, a wiener roast and refreshment garden will follow.
A pancake breakfast will start the day of fun and festivities on Saturday, July 23. The hearty meal will be followed by a parade, with all cars, machinery and floats welcome to participate.
Local entertainment will begin at 1 p.m. with a singing performance by talented teenager Lexie Tytlandsvik. The BAD Boys will perform old-time music for the crowd, followed by musical entertainment by Luree Weisbeck.
After the community supper, the event's special guests will take the stage.
Doug Arden will entertain young and old with his comedic ventriloquist and magic act. Former Saskatchewan Roughriders Matt Dominguez and Don Narcisse will speak and sign autographs for guests.
"I find it interesting that these guys come up here to play football and decide to stay sometimes," said McKenzie. "I've asked them to tell their stories and why they made Saskatchewan their home."
The Ian Carver Band and Dennis "Elvis" Lizuck will entertain in the evening. Fireworks will cap off the evening entertainment. The refreshment gardens will run throughout the day and evening.
Another pancake breakfast will be served on Sunday, July 24, followed by last minute visiting and cleaning up.
Other activities taking place during the celebration include a Car Show and Shine and Antique Machinery Show. McKenzie said that anyone can enter the events and participants can still enter their vehicle or machinery.
A baseball game is also being planned during the event. McKenzie reminded folks to bring their own ball gloves and lawn chairs.
The Villages of Colgate and Goodwater were both incorporated 100 years ago, but not with the names they possess now. Colgate was originally called Bellville and Goodwater was Juell. It was the Canadian National Railway (CNR) surveyors that changed the names to what they are known as today. CNR was instrumental in the formation of the villages, completing the line that connected the villages to the rest of settled Canada in 1911.
The RM of Lomond is the home of the Weyburn Oilfield, operated by Cenovus Energy, which now contains the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world. Oil was first discovered in Lomond in the 1950s and has had a major impact on the area ever since.
The event on July 22, 23 and 24 will celebrate the achievements of the pioneers that helped develop the area and everyone is welcome to attend.
