It was a three-day party that brought out the best in Barrhead. Even the elusive sun joined the festivities.
The Blue Heron Fair Days demonstrated to one and all that the town knows how to have a blast.
A rich mix of entertainment included a demolition derby, rodeo, gymkhana, horse show, ball tournament, mounted shooting, children’s activities, outdoor movie, beef show and a parade full of brightly-coloured floats and headed by a pipe band.
There was also one of the largest model railways you are ever likely to see. The intricacies of its design were a constant source of wonder to adults and children.
To stare at the LaBaJa railway, and the meticulously constructed urban and rural landscape through which the trains travel, is to be drawn into a fantasy. Who could resist the temptation? What adult does not possess the instincts of a child?
The Aug. 9-11 fair provided so many reasons to be cheerful, so many reasons to be proud of everything Barrhead represents.
For Bert and Mary Dube the wonderfully organized Saturday morning parade was further vindication of their decision to move to Barrhead 15 years ago.
Like scores of others living along the route, they watched the procession from the comfort of their front lawn, ready to cheer and wave at anyone they recognized.
First they saw RCMP officer Kirk Fisler clad in his Red Serge, marching in unison with Barrhead Royal Canadian Legion second vice-president Rebecca Lonsdale. Then came Edmonton’s Ben Nevis Pipe Band and dozens of beautifully adorned floats, many celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Canada, which was this year’s parade theme.
There were also military vehicles, a giant tractor, Edmonton Motor Corps scooters and umbrella-shaded buggies, and floats representing such organizations as the TD Summer Reading Club, Barrhead Filipino Association, museum, Co-op, Barrhead Town Council and Barrhead County Council.
It proved a sweet occasion for many children lining the streets; the passage of floats was frequently accompanied by a shower of candy. Occasionally popcorn bags were handed over with the lollipops and other confectionery.
“The parade was so perfect, and it was a long one,” said Mary. “It was also very well organized.”
Bert agreed.
“The weather could not have been better,” he smiled.
Among the highlights for them were the horses, a calf with a cow, and a huge tractor.
The couple, who have been in the news recently because of their curling feats, say living in Barrhead is a joy at their time of life.
“It is a very good place for seniors,” said Mary.
For Eddie Villeneuve, who has only been in Barrhead about a year, the parade provided insight into the ways of rural Alberta.
“For a town this size it was very interesting,” he said. “I liked the decorative floats.”
Villeneuve, who has lived in Toronto and seen huge city parades, including the ones in summer and on Labour Day, loved the way people in Barrhead were drawn to the downtown area.
“It was great to see kids in the floats,” he said.
He added he particularly liked the pipe band, making its second appearance in Barrhead after last year’s spectacular debut. And he wondered whether a school band could be added to the line-up.
Villeneuve also said he would like to see local stores get more involved.
Servus Credit Union branch manager Jason McElroy was one of those in the thick of the action, helping with float duties.
From his perspective, the parade fulfilled its primary function: providing plenty of entertainment.
“We had beautiful weather, and it was lots of fun,” he said.
Many parade spectators had been fortified by a scrumptious Rotary Club pancake breakfast in the IGA parking lot. It was the perfect set-up for a day, which had started with a horse show.
In the afternoon, the focus switched to the fair grounds for a rodeo packed with crowd-pleasing events: bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, ladies barrel racing and calf roping.
Observers were amazed by the long list of bull riders and the large number of rodeo competitors from the Barrhead area, including Fort Assiniboine and Mayerthorpe.
Other events included junior barrels, novice horse, pee wee barrels, junior bulls, junior break-away roping and the wild pony rides.
A striking presence on her horse, Barrhead’s Dayna Powell held the Canadian flag as she made her way around the arena during the grand entry and Canadian anthem.
She later took part in barrel racing with other local cowgirls, including Kaila Skogstad and Ashley Keith, as well as Branna and Bryce Fischer of Mayerthorpe.
There was plenty of local support too for Travis Berg, the first man out of the bucking shoot in the bareback event.
Some of the biggest cheers – and laughs – were prompted by the ever-popular calf scramble and the boot race, which saw youngsters in white socks scamper over the dirty terrain.
Parents may have squirmed at the thought of doing extra laundry, but the kids could not have been happier.
The sight of youngsters enjoying themselves was a constant at a nearby play area where opportunities to slide and bounce up and down abounded. There were also chances in a petting zoo to get up close and personal to little creatures that share our planet.
For the Laun family, a ginger and white kitty proved irresistible. Four-year-old Alyssa Laun, three-year-old sister, Aidan, and Mackenzie, aged 10, were smitten by the kitten, taking it in turns to cuddle it in their laps.
Meanwhile, a model railway in the nearby exhibition hall was generating plenty of excitement.
Co-founder of LaBaJa railway, Jim Baker, said the hall had attracted a steady stream of people.
“We’ve had a lot of visitors,” he said. “It has been very busy, and a lot of fun. We’ve had plenty of favourable comments.”
LaBaJa member Gerry Frigon said it had taken about four hours to set the model up.
The railway is a hobby to all the 20 members, requiring a limitless patience and passion for trains, he added. The models are miniature replicas of trains, down to the finest details.
“It is a labour of love,” he said.
Local resident Henry Schmidt couldn’t get enough of the display, coming on Saturday and Sunday to marvel at the minute details that are the hallmark of the railway.
For just eight dollars someone could see the rodeo and the model trains, he said. There cannot be a better deal.
“Anybody who didn’t come to see it, they missed one of the greatest shows on earth,” said Schmidt. “It’s absolutely the most beautiful setup I’ve ever seen.”
The fair came to the end of its own line on Sunday. For those who came on board the consensus was unanimous: it had been another big success.
