The Yorkton Farm Toy Show and Sale has been going for 27 years, and this year was another successful event. The gathering of collectors saw approximately 60 different display booths showing toys from a wide range of eras.
One of those displays was for Custom Toys Inc., showcasing the toys fabricated by Garth Shyngera and Dean Fyck. Shyngera has been making custom toys for eight years, starting since his family sold their farm.
The time it takes depends on how complicated the toys are. Shyngera says a production tractor can take from 30 to 40 hours, but he also does much more complicated toys as well. One of most elaborate toys he's made was a working oil rig which he brought to the show a few years ago. It was a toy that got him a lot of attention, and one of the most difficult projects he ever completed he says.
"It was a complete scratch build. That was the toughest build of everything, it was about a 400 hour project."
The goal is to bring out new ideas, focusing on things that aren't on the market. Shyngera says each year he tries to bring a collection that's a bit different, showing people what he can do and also getting ideas about other products he can make.
"Sometimes shows make the business. When things are in front of you, people can see it, believe it, and want it."
This year the theme for the Custom Toys booth was custom combining, and Shyngera says that was inspired by the show itself. All proceeds from the show went to the family of Lyric Solonenko, a local three year old boy currently fighting cancer. They went with combines for a theme because that's what the family does, and also made a special combine for Solonenko himself, painted as a replica of the combines used by his father and grandfather.
Fyck was the driving force behind the custom toy, and he says that it was something he felt he needed to do.
"It can get emotional... it's hard to see what they're facing. Hopefully it'll brighten his day up, the look on his face when he plays with it will be overwhelming," Fyck says.
Shyngera adds that creating the Solonenko combine was all about doing something for a family that will make them feel good.
"Some things are not about money, some things are about memories, and putting a smile on somebody's face..."
Getting the tractors people remember from growing up is a major part of the hobby, Shyngera and Fyck agree, with most people getting started with those implements that they remember growing up.
"It all starts out with getting a few pieces you had on the farm. That's every kid's dream. I'm 33 years old and I just got the tractor we had on our farm. He's three, and now he has something," Fyck says.
Anyone interested in learning more about Custom Toys Inc can call (306)543-5740 or email [email protected].
