If the pandemic hadn鈥檛 happened, 2020 might have been a different year in the Battlefords.
As it turned out, we got a different year, all right 鈥� one without our most notable annual events, which were unable to proceed due to gathering size restrictions. In fact, so many events did not happen that you feel like the entire year of 2020 itself was 鈥渃ancelled.鈥�
Here is a look at the long, but by no means exhaustive, list of scheduled activities and major events that were postponed or cancelled, and in some cases we have listed when you might be able to see them happen again.
Battlefords North Stars聽
Playoffs suspended March 12. 2019-20 season was officially cancelled March 13. New season began Nov. 6; season suspended on order of public health Nov. 27 with order in effect until no earlier than Jan. 15, 2020.
SPHL Finals聽
Game 3 of Meota-Battleford SPHL final scheduled for March 13 was cancelled 鈥� season ends without a champion declared.
Dekker Centre
The following shows all ended up cancelled:
Christine Tassan et les Imposteures scheduled for March 31, 2020 has been cancelled.
Louisiana Hayride, scheduled for April 22, 2020, was moved to June 27 but ultimately cancelled.
It鈥檚 Five O鈥機lock Somewhere, scheduled for April 27, 2020, was moved to Sept. 25 and also did not go ahead.
Terry Barber and the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, scheduled for April 29, 2020, postponed.
Hotel California, The Original Eagles Tribute Band, scheduled for May 2, 2020, postponed.
BeeGee's Gold- The Ultimate BeeGee's Tribute, scheduled for May 6, postponed.
The Passion of Amy Winehouse, scheduled for May 15, 2020, was postponed.
The Dekker Centre resumed shows in the fall of 2020.
Gold Eagle Casino Event Centre聽
The finals for Pride of the Northwest, scheduled for March 21, 2020, were postponed.
Rotary Club of the Battlefords聽
鈥淥ut of this World鈥� Centennial Celebration events featuring Chris Hadfield scheduled for April 24, was rescheduled to Oct. 9 and postponed again. Now scheduled for October 22, 2021. All previous details about the event will remain the same, with the only change being the new date.
Battlefords Regional Community Coalition
The launch event featuring Brett Wilson, scheduled for April 3, 2020 at Tropical Inn, postponed.
Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo聽
Event scheduled for April 24, 25 and 26 was cancelled; hope is to return in 2021.
Indigenous People鈥檚 Day
The annual pancake breakfast put on by Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and entertainment downtown on June 21 was cancelled. Hope is to return in 2021.
Canada Day
The fireworks display on July 1 at King Hill was postponed and the Fort Battleford event was cancelled. Plan was to hold the fireworks display on Dec. 31.
Battlefords Chamber of Commerce聽
Chamber events that did not proceed as scheduled in 2020 included the annual Post-Budget luncheon with finance minister Donna Harpauer; the provincial budget itself ended up being postponed to June 15.
Chamber on Tap events were postponed during the spring and summer but resumed in the fall under tight restrictions. The Dec. 3 event was postponed and there is no word yet on when Chamber on Tap events will resume.
Battlefords Ag Society
Among the activities cancelled in 2020 were Agri-Mex in April and North West Territorial Days in August, including the parade.
Battleford Parade
Cancelled for 2020.
Western Development Museum
Those Were the Days, with their annual Parade of Power, cancelled for 2020.
Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The 2020 annual induction ceremony, scheduled originally for Aug. 15, was postponed to Oct. 3 and then postponed again. It is currently scheduled for May 22, 2021.
Remembrance Day
The public portion of Remembrance Day ceremonies did not proceed in 2020. However, the local Legions organized scaled-down services without the public in attendance. Branch No. 70 live-streamed their ceremonies to the public on Nov. 11.
