A hot summer's night, Aug. 16, was the perfect setting for an event in Kerrobert that grew out of a stopover for participants in the 2022 Miles of Mayhem drive and drag competition.
Several weeks ago, organizers from the group known as ‘Miles of Mayhem’ drag and drive competition, were planning out their route for the 2022 five-day event and stopped at Kerrobert Town Office to discuss options. Kerrobert was then notified that they would be one of the stations on the five-day event
Community members instantly rallied to create an event out of the opportunity and Aug. 16 soon became a day full of activity that included a chance to view a car show, a barbecue, live entertainment, and other activities that were in locations all around the arena area where the event would be set up.
Marli Shepherd from the town office said vehicles from Miles of Mayhem began to arrive around lunch time with the majority of participants coming through in the late afternoon and evening. Some drivers came in a group and did their courthouse check stop and carried on. Some participants grabbed a burger and drink from the Kinsmen barbecue before departing and other participants stayed and visited with locals, while showing off their vehicles.
Local and surrounding community car enthusiasts added to the car show portion of the event by displaying their vehicles and motorcycles.
Shepherd said the event drew a great crowd, hearing that the Kinsmen sold hundreds of burgers and had to restock supplies for both barbecue and beverage gardens several times. Kerrobert Kinsmen were kept busy right from the noon when they fired up the barbecues, until after the supper hour.
The weather certainly was conducive to the great turnout as people came for the barbecue or to socialize in the beverage gardens, to listen to the live music performances, or peruse the vehicles on display, or take in all of the aspects the event had to offer.
Organizers also say they knew out of town people had come in from Denzil, Eston, Unity, and other surrounding communities.
Miles of Mayhem is a five-day ‘drag and drive’ competition where street legal race cars run 1/8-mile time trials every day at four different tracks while driving public roads between each track, travelling over 1700 km for the opportunity to win trophies and cash prizes.
The race began Aug.14 in Medicine Hat, hitting Saskatoon on day two and Kerrobert in between Saskatoon and Forestburg, Alta. For the day three check stop, drivers stopped in Kerrobert as one of the appointed check stations at the historic Kerrobert Courthouse. Day four moved to Rimbey, Alta and ended day five back in Medicine Hat.
The Kohlman family took in the event and enjoyed talking to a couple of the Miles of Mayhem participants while touring the car show. Ronda Kohlman said they enjoyed the live music as well and were impressed with Brayden King, who was one of the performers at the recent Tralapa Summer Festival, who showed up after being invited by Kerrobert resident, Ashton Tetzlaff, to perform.
A variety of attendees interviewed said, “What a great way to finish off a workday.” “Food, cars, cold drinks and music was the perfect combination to a summer event right here in town.” “How about our Kerrobert Kinsmen cooking nonstop for hours to feed hungry event-goers.” “Who says there is nothing ever to do in K-town!”
The Aug. 16 event adds to a full week of activity that will take place in Kerrobert. Activity, in addition to this car show event, also includes a circus on Aug. 18 and a Fiesta at the C-Store on Aug. 19 in addition to regular activities that were taking place at the pool and park program, library, museum, and art gallery.
