FORT ASSINIBOINE – The annual Fort Assiniboine Hamlet Hoedown celebration starts on Friday, Aug. 16 and finishes on Sunday, Aug. 18 with the North Country Rodeo Finals.
“This is a nice, low-cost event for families with lots of kids activities like face-painting and inflatables,” said Jen Christianson, event organizer.
“We have people rave about the fireworks so it is something you don’t want to miss and we want people to come and enjoy them.”
On Friday, Aug. 16 the Farmer’s Market and Trade Show opens at 2 p.m. at the curling rink with some vendors and displays to investigate.
After 5 p.m., Walsh Park will have beer gardens and food vendors. Rodeo events, including the Wild Pony Race and the Three-Person Relay for adult participants, will start at 5:45 p.m.
Wild Pony Racing is for youngsters 12 years and under and is an event Hoedown goers enjoy.
There will be a 20-minute fireworks extravaganza show to end the day's festivities.
The fireworks show happens over the Athabasca River, catching the lights and adding to the dazzle of this spectacular event.
Fireworks start as soon as it gets dark, around 10 p.m.
On Saturday morning there is a free delicious pancake breakfast that has delighted early risers who have attended in past years.
The Farmer’s Market and Trade Show continue in the curling rink starting at 8 am.
There is a Rodeo Slack starting at 8 a.m. at the rodeo arena.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. with an amazing assortment of entries.
“The small section of the highway gets flooded with camping chairs, plastic bags, small children and adults alike to catch all pieces of candy,” the Fort Assiniboine AG Society website read.
“The waves and smiles of the community young and old, our parade captures the magic, wonder and joy that we want to bring.”
“A beloved tradition year after year, we try to bring communities together with a sense of unity and pride.”
After the parade visitors can check in at the museum, the legion lounge or the concessions.
The Live Country Auction at the hockey arena and Kids activity Korner at Walsh Park on Diamond One both start at noon.
Kids Korner offers inflatables, face painting, a balloon artist, and a foam pit, tons of fun for youngsters of all ages.
The Beer Gardens open at 1 p.m.
Lawnmower races start at 3 p.m. in the rodeo arena with different classes of competitors.
Spectators line the stands to watch this entertaining competition between mean machines until 5 p.m.
The rodeo attractions begin at 5:45 including the calf scramble and mutton bustin’ for 4-year-olds to 7-year-olds.
The Saturday excitement continues into the evening with a family dance in the hockey arena starting at 9 p.m. with David Jukebox Leigh.
Sunday’s North Country Rodeo Finals begin at noon at the rodeo arena with talented competitors aged 14 years and under, vying for awards that will be presented at the conclusion of the events.
The Fort Assiniboine celebration dates back to 1973.
Last year was the 50th year anniversary and the community swells with pride for their shining reputation of success with everyone who attends the Fort Assiniboine Hamlet Hoedown.
