Canada Day in Bienfait and Estevan have taken on a fine traditional teamwork approach to the celebrations with complementary events that appeal to young and old alike.
This year was no different as Bienfait took the leading role with a full day of activities with their neighbouring community, playing host to a celebration sponsored by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs that appealed to children and families, staged in the Hillside Kinsmen Park for four busy hours on Canada Day afternoon.
Bienfait’s extravaganza included a nightfall fireworks display that was viewed by over 1,000 spectators. That brought to a conclusion a full day that began in the early morning hours with a pancake breakfast in the Bienfait Memorial Arena where more than 200 people were served up a hearty breakfast to get the day underway. It was pretty well non-stop activity from that point on.
Dena Bachorcik, Bienfait’s assistant administrator and secretary for the local recreation board, said the Canada Day parade was once again a huge effort, but also a successful one.
Darker skies and a few drops of drizzling rain did not deter the parade-goers, and by the time the event was underway, the umbrellas were put away and spectators and parade participants enjoyed some sunny skies and warming temperatures.
The first-place float in the business category was entered by Canyon Technical Services with second and third places going to Five Star Trucking and Tag Line Trucking, respectively.
In the non-profit category, the first-place position was claimed by the Bienfait Minor Sports float with its active participants. Second place was claimed by the Estevan Bible Camp entry and third was the Souris Valley Theatre float.
The town’s home and yard decorating contest went to Sherry Taylor, said Bachorcik.
“It takes dozens of volunteers to put this day together, so it includes more than just the recreation board members and their families,” said Bachorcik, noting that the recreation group is the lead agency for the annual event.
“We can’t thank the sponsors and volunteers enough. The sponsors help meet the costs of the fireworks display plus all the free events during the day,” she said. That included a free swimming and games day at the pool and the park plus an open house at the Bienfait Museum that features several coal-mining artifacts and railway memorabilia.
“There were some bouncy houses for the younger kids. The mini firemen’s rodeo complete with the fire truck and skill tests for the kids with the fire hoses and so on, was very popular, as was the pool,” said Bachorcik.
“Of course we had the Canada Day cake cutting and a cake walk with a whole bunch of cakes being donated which helped meet the fireworks costs too. The slow pitch tournament and museum along with a petting zoo, which was pretty popular with the kids, were part of the action in the park right beside the pool,” Bachorcik added.
While the pancake breakfast and face painting fun were held in the arena, and the parade made its way from Weldon School on the town’s outskirts down to the downtown core, most of the afternoon activities were held in the park and pool.
In the Kinsmen Park in Estevan, there was plenty of free food, including hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones. Kids played in the paddling pool that was coloured red and blue. The afternoon began with the national anthem and also included the cutting of a Canada Day cake as well as informal games throughout the afternoon.
