MIDALE - A street dance was held in Midale Aug. 5 for the first time in 20 years, and the community turned out in droves.
An estimated crowd of 1,200-1,400 people gathered on Main Street for the bash, which was one of a number of activities to be held in the town during the Saskatchewan Day long weekend. The event started late in the afternoon and continued well into the night.
Kyle Hoium, who was the chairman of the street dance organizing committee, called it a "phenomenal" event that exceeded their expectations.
"My target was that if we got 500-600 people here, I thought it would be great," said Hoium.
By comparison, Midale has 510 residents, according to the 2021 federal census, so the estimated turnout was more-than double the town's population.
Hoium couldn't pinpoint a reason why the crowd was so large, but the absence of such an event for so long might have been a factor.
"There was a lot of people who came in," said Hoium. "We tied it in with the bull bash. I've heard that the bull bash was probably their best ever on Friday, just between the gate [admission] and the cabaret. We made a weekend of it here in town, and it really exceeded our expectations."
Entertainment was courtesy of The Johner Brothers featuring the Johner Boys, who hail from the Midale area. Also performing was Weyburn's Brayden King, who has family in Midale and was fresh from his top-55 finish on American Idol. Micah Walbaum, who is a talented young singer from Forget, also performed.
"We had really good entertainers, and there was a local flair to the entertainers," said Hoium.
Weyburn's Richy Roy was the DJ.
He wanted to make sure there were local performers who could help make the event a success.
When the idea for the street dance was first tossed around, Hoium said they should do it for the community. So a number of organizations were involved and will benefit, including Midale Swimming Pool, the Harry O Memorial Arena, the day care, the rodeo committee and the fire department. Midale's minor hockey association made $3,300 through a barbecue, while the antique association, which organized their Pioneer Echoes Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, had a 50-50 that generated $2,500.
"When we're into something like this, it's got to be for everybody," said Hoium.
While he was the event committee chairman, Hoium said a ton of people put in a lot of hours and helped with organizing the street dance.
"Our community has really come together, and really did a good job."
Hoium noted there were likely people at the events on the weekend who likely hadn't been in Midale for 20 years.
It was also a well-behaved crowd, and Hoium said they had no issues during the event.
