聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Over the August Long Weekend Wawota celebrated their Heritage Days in the valley.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Heritage Days actually began in the 1950s and then there were a number of years when it didn't happen. The decision was made to bring it back again in 2015 and has been going on ever since.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Heritage Days kicked off with a parade on Friday afternoon followed by everyone heading down to the valley to take in the events there.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Although attendance was down this year, everyone attending had a good time.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Ranch Rodeo was scheduled to be in conjuction with this year鈥檚 Heritage Days but due to the high number of entries in the Gymkhana there just wouldn鈥檛 be enough time to hold both events.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淜ids Gymkhana had over 30 participants each day,鈥� explains Kathy Hamilton, committee member of Wawota Heritage Days.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Gymkhana helped fill in the weekend, giving the people coming to Heritage Days something else to do. It went really well and people seemed to enjoy it.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Wheels and Saddles held demonstrations throughout the day.
鈥淲heels and Saddles Show and Shine was well received,鈥� says Hamilton.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year, those who came out to enjoy Wawota's Heritage Days got their money鈥檚 worth. The Long Weekend event gave young and old a chance to come out and have some very affordable fun.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Families come into the valley to watch the youngsters take part in the Gymkhana or visit and relax under the tent for shade. It also means that kids can play on the Slip and Slide, go to the Dino Dig, play on the Bouncy Castles, or just run around and meet their friends! There was no extra cost for any of those kid's activities. Then in the evening, the whole family had the opportunity to enjoy a roast beef supper and stay to enjoy the Talent Show including Hal Garrett the cowboy poet, Amaya Drumm and her gymnastics routine and of course the fireworks! Where else are you going to find a better deal than that?
鈥淭he new events were all very successful,鈥� says Hamilton and adds 鈥渢he Kids Power Wheels Derby was well attended鈥�.there was always kids waiting in line.鈥�
鈥淭he Dunk Tank was popular and as always a line up for Slip 鈥榥 Slide and the Bouncers,鈥� says Hamilton.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 After costs are covered, all the money that's left is put into the Heritage Fund for next year's event.
鈥淎ny profits are used for new equipment for example tents,鈥� Hamilton explains 鈥渢he wind destroyed a couple on Saturday.鈥� 聽Hamilton goes on to say 鈥淎lso improvements to the valley. The long term goal is water, camp sites and maybe a permanent structure for a stage.鈥�
Check out next year鈥檚 Heritage Days in Wawota and see what their community has to offer.
