Article appeared in the Jul. 28, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
The three-day long Arborg Fair and Rodeo opened to cool weather on Jul 22, forcing many people into sweaters and jackets. For the horses, cattle and dogs, however, it was the perfect weekend for a rodeo. Whether milling around in communal pens, strutting their best during competitions, or flexing brute muscle during high powered events, the animals enjoyed a degree of comfort afforded them by mother nature.
Friday saw events like a horse show, Cowboy Polo and, later, a heavy metal band at the main stage and a fireworks display on the banks of the Icelandic River. Saturday was action-packed, beginning with a pancake breakfast at the legion, followed by more than a dozen attractions at various locations that lasted well into the evening.
Saturday’s parade drew a huge crowd. It pushed off at 11:00 a.m. from St. Phillips Dr., and wound its way down Main St. where throngs of people of all ages were lined up on both sides. It appeared that all of Arborg came out for the parade, to see firsthand the colourful floats, or to collect candy tossed into the street from pails by numerous local politicians.
Mayor, Randy Sigurdson, could have won for ‘most ritzy’. He was chauffeured in a 1958 gleaming black Oldsmobile, but Reeve of Bifrost, Harold Foster, looked equally impressive riding atop his John Deer tractor. Lakeside MLA, Ralph Eichler, dressed to match the dazzling blue motorcycle he was driving., while Interlake MLA, Tom Nevakshonoff, waved to crowds from the back of a pickup truck. Many joined him later for free hamburgers and beverages. The other of the politicians opted to travel the parade route on foot. PC candidates, Jeff Wharton, Steve Lupky, as well as MLA, James Bezan, walked briskly alongside accompanying cars as they tossed candies to waiting children by the curb.
Local businesses, community groups, and emergency vehicles took part in the parade.
Activities took place at the north end of Main St. Crazy Jumpers Dog Agility Training School from Fraserwood set up an obstacle course in which dogs happily earned treats for tricks. A bake sale, photography contest and craft sale was held in the high school gym. A full HRA approved rodeo was the main feature, but entertainment throughout the weekend, a baseball tournament, tractor pull and auctioneer competition were some of the other activities to be taken in.
