It will go on. This was the attitude of those who had organized the Arcola Antique Ag Daze as well as the Kisbey-Arcola 4-H Beef Club, who despite rain went through with plans on Saturday, June 28.
Though a few events scheduled were unable to be completed, such as the tractor pull, heavy horse pull, as well as the threshing and baling demo.
The majority of the day, however, continued with only a moment's hesitation.
To kick the day off a pancake breakfast was held at the fire hall.
Despite soggy fields and water pooling six slow pitch teams arrived to duke it out for the title of champion. Teams registered included the Bad Eggs of Arcola, Who Cares from Weyburn, The Express out of White Bear, Swinging Nuts from Arcola, Lips N Sticks out of Wawota, and Master Batters of Arcola. Bad Eggs took first place against The Express in the championship match.
During the day numerous children were also found running about. Activities for them were held in the Ag Pavilion. Bouncy castles, face painting, and games were held by the Arcola Daycare during the day.
Earlier in the morning people lined Main Street to watch the parade. Many floats were taken down the street with candy and toys tossed out to the children lining the streets. Local businesses, antique tractors, car show vehicles, and more participated.
Youth entered and rode their bicycles along the parade route as well.
"It was a good parade, everybody cooperated well and wanted to do it," Al Fletcher with the Arcola Fair and Stampede Society explained.
Found in the rink was a collector car show. From older models to newer ones, the car show was a success with many exclaiming that the organizers were forward thinking as without the shelter some may not have participated.
On the fairgrounds a blacksmith and roper maker were found demonstrating their skills. The blacksmith, Aird Romich, of Ponderosa Forge from Swift Current, wasn't overly happy with the rain as the items he made as demonstrations were beginning to rust; but, he enjoyed the opportunity to share with people in the area his work. Romich performs demonstrations often as he helps in Swift Current at Doc's Town Heritage Village.
Found inside the Ag Pavilion was a model engine display as well as a radio and gramophone collection. The model engine display of a 1 to 5 scale of a steam tractor and a hit and miss gas engine.
Don Holloway of Kipling brought these two items to display. He took up modelling from his father and it soon became a hobby. Holloway was knowledgeable about his display and explained the hit and miss gas engine made a large difference for early farmers. Having to saw trees on their own and other chores, the hit and miss gas engine allowed chores to be done quicker and in a less labour intensive way. Holloway smiled as he said that this was one of the major revolutions in technologies.
Bill Maher then spoke of his radio and gramophone collection having gotten into it as owner of Maher Electrics for 50 years.
In with this display were a grouping of beautifully crafted quilts made by a group of women in the area.
Finally the day saw a roast beef supper hosted at the Ag Pavilion, with Kenny Wade providing the entertainment. Though fewer than hoped for, approximately 80 people did attend the supper to support the Ag Daze.
Though the plan was to host the event for two days with a petting zoo, an antique vehicle parade, and heavy horse pull being added to ongoing activities, the decision was made due to the weather to keep the event to one day. The continuation of rain meant that the already soggy fairgrounds had become extremely muddy and had become speckled with standing water.
Also found at the fairgrounds on the Saturday was the Arcola-Kisbey 4-H Beef group. Here the dedicated youth held their Achievement Day in the rain. After completing a speech, record book, and questionnaire throughout the year in order to show their steers.
On Achievement Day youth showcase their steers, but are also welcome to show their heifer's and cow/calf pair's as well. Youth are judged in each of these categories, while participating in a showmanship class, judging class, and grooming class. In the end all of these scores are brought together to create an aggregate score.
The Arcola-Kisbey group consist of 14 kids, with 12 participating in the showing of their animals for Achievement Day.
In the senior category, Alannah Bryce, took first place while Christin Dixon won the intermediate/junior combined category.
Despite the rain, the day at least remained warm and many people were still out to take in everything that was underway at the fairgrounds.
"We were quite pleased to have accomplished what we did, the kids had fun, and everyone tried to stay out of the rain [in the Ag Pavilion]," Fletcher explained.
Sunday's events were cancelled, but Fletcher says the board will discuss whether or not to hold a fall fair for the community since the weather was uncooperative this time around.
