By Greg Nikkel
The 109th edition of the Weyburn Fair was deemed a success by the Weyburn Agricultural Society, particularly due to how the challenges for this year鈥檚 Fair was handled and met by the organizers, said Ag Society president Jeff Clay.
鈥淎ll in all, considering it was a last-minute event, it was a success. We had the chariots and the chuckwagons, the mounted riders and the bouncy houses and entertainment, so I think things went really well,鈥� said Clay, referring to the organizers challenge to replace the regular midway which cancelled coming to Weyburn this year.
The final attendance numbers were 1,650 for the Monday, which is on par with last year; 1,330 on Tuesday, and 1,730 on Wednesday, both of which were down from last year, for a grand total of 4,710 for the three days.
While some of the attendance numbers slipped a bit, Clay pointed out the heat of low to mid-30-degrees on Monday and Tuesday had an effect on keeping some people away, but the regular attractions of the chucks and chariot races brought in lots of spectators, as did the Regional 4-H Show and sale held over the three days of the Fair.
鈥淓very year there are changes. When it鈥檚 an outdoor show, we just have to deal with them,鈥� said Clay. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure there were skeptics who thought it wasn鈥檛 a good event, but I think the Ag Society put on a good show. We brought in something for everybody to do. There were hitches and snags like there are every year, but we got through everything really well, and I think we put on a great show, considering the short time-frame we had to get everything together.鈥�
Past president Tyler Metheral agreed it was a good event for the Ag Society. 鈥淲e had good crowds for how hot it was. In the evenings, we were busy. I never heard any kid saying they didn鈥檛 want to be there. I think all the kids enjoyed it, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e shooting for.鈥�
In the Regional 4-H Show, the Grand Champion Steer was shown by Cassidy Vermeulen of the Radville 4-H Beef Club, and her animal was sold for $5.50 a pound to Egypt Valley Farms of Ceylon. The Reserve Champion went to Kyla Lees of the Arcola-Kisbey 4-H Club, and her animal sold for $4.75 a pound to Barber Motors.
A total of 185 steers were sold in the 4-H sale on Wednesday, with an overall average price of $2.84 a pound, which Clay said is on par with the past couple of years.
A full field of drivers took part in the ever-popular 鈥淩umble in the Ring鈥� demolition derby, filling the grandstands and the adjacent stands with spectators.
The top winners in the finals were Karsen Dixon of Lignite, N.D., in first place, taking home a prize of $1,200, with Scott Free of Moose Jaw in second place, receiving a prize of $500, and Blayne Gilbertson of Griffin in third, winning $100.
In the consolation finals, which saw around a dozen cars crowd in the ring for bragging rights, first place went to Kevin Dodd of Weyburn, winning $500; second went to Rocky Crozier of Weyburn, winning $200; and in third was Colton Dodd of Weyburn, winning a trophy.
Driver Shawn Whitrow won $200 and a trophy for the hardest hit of the night, and Lana Kennedy Maas won the 鈥渢ough luck鈥� prize for having her axle break during the first heat. The prize for the best decorated car went to Mack and Jenna Metheral, for his car decorated by Jenna in a Monopoly game theme.
In the qualifying heats, the top two drivers from each heat received a $100 prize and advanced to the feature final. In the first heat, the two qualifiers were Scott Free of Moose Jaw and Blayne Gilbertson of Griffin; in the second, Rob Pickering of Weyburn and Mark Tribiger of Estevan advanced; in the third was Jarrett Metheral of Weyburn and Karsen Dixon. From the fourth heat, Mack Metheral of Yellow Grass and Dustin Kennedy of Weyburn advanced.
In the Chamber of Commerce Fair parade on Monday, there were around 60 floats entered, and the winners were as follows: in the Business category, Refresh Wellness Bar & Bistro won for their vintage-era bus; for organizations, the winner was the Lomond 4-H Light Horse Club, and the Individual winner was Dwain Borshowa family for their train float.
There were 12 competitors in the Chad Johnstone Memorial Farrier Competition held on Monday and Tuesday at the Fair, with the following results.
In the Novice Division, first place went to Jessica Bookey of Langley, B.C.; second was Brian Symington of Asquith, Sask.; and third went to Cherish Clement of Port Alberni, B.C.
In the Intermediate Division, first place went to Caleb Green of Dugald, Man.; second was Harry Matis of Austin, Man.; and third was Martin Matis of Portage La Prairie, Man.
In the Open Division, first place went to Cam Ruest of Sundre, Alta., and second was Gerd Martin of Indian Head, Sask.
The Jackpot class winner was Cherish Clement of Port Alberni, B.C.
