WAWOTA — According to Wawota’s Mayor Kevin Kay, there’s a fantastic reason to take in Heritage Day on August. 2.
“We’re celebrating the best community in southeast Saskatchewan,” he said proudly. “This event pulls us together as a community, and we want to celebrate who we are.”
This year marks the 45th year for the Wawota Heritage Day, which has become a great excuse for folks near and far to gather in the town of 543.
“Last year, we saw somewhere between 700 and 800 people through the gates, and we’re anticipating more than that this year,” Kay said. “With all the volunteers that we have involved and other people that are on the grounds, we’ve been very pleased with the turnouts over the last few years.
“It’s also a homecoming,” he continued. “A lot of people who have called Wawota home make their way back for that day and celebrate. But also, when you have a crowd, it draws a crowd, right? So we just want to make it an emphasis every year, and we just want to celebrate who we are.”
The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast, followed by a ton of events.
“Activities start at 10:30 am with the parade, and then we’ll be moving down to the valley,” Mayor Kay said. “Opening ceremonies will start at 12:30 pm and we’ve got all kinds of activities for every age.”
Things will certainly be action-packed with gymkhana events, Little Buckers Rodeo, a petting zoo, Zorb balls, a bouncy house, slip and slide, archery, beach volleyball, mini-golf and more.
Returning this year will also be the Eagle Ridge Sled Dogs, Meagan Anishinabie with hide tanning, and the Métis Nation Saskatchewan Eastern Region 3—all included with the cost of admission.
“It’s been the same pretty much over the last few years, but the entertainers that we’ve got in are brand new and we are looking forward to sharing the rodeo as well,” Kay said. “That’s part of who we are as well.”
Hitting the main stage this year will be Magic by Chris at 1:30 pm, then Willow Byrne at 3 pm, followed by Chris Byrne at 5 pm. The cabaret swings into high gear at 8 pm when The Country Band takes the stage. At dusk, the Wawota Lion’s Club will cap the evening with their fireworks display.
With all those things to do and see, Kay pointed to one thing when asked what his favourite part of Wawota Heritage Day is.
“For me, it’s the community,” he said. “There are people that I see at Heritage Day that I don’t get to see any other time of the year. It’s drawing the community together, seeing the kids getting involved; some of the kids who grew up are now volunteering regularly, and they see the significance of the event in a community like ours as well.”
Gate admission for those 16 and over is only $25, youth (ages five to 15 years) is $15, and a family pass (two adults and up to four kids) is $80.
