CARSTAIRS - The Carstairs and District Agricultural Society has given town council an update on recent activities and plans for 2022, including a return of the popular Beef & Barley Days in July.
The review came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting, with society president Charlie Van Arnam appearing as a delegation.
“We are very excited about the return of our events, including Beef & Barley Days,” said Van Arnam. “We are looking forward to 2022 with great anticipation and seeing you at some of our events.”
Activities in 2021 included the youth gardening program, which was in collaboration with Family and Community Support Services and the Horticulture and Craft Show Committee.
Rodeo committee activities included Youth Gymkhana twice a week and the Bull & Broncs event.
The society took part in the Firefighter of a Day initiative that involved an interactive fire safety program for Grade 1 Carstairs students.
“That was very, very informative,” he said.
The 4-H Show and Sale also took place, as did the Arbor Day Celebration, which included the distribution of free seedlings to the community, library craft kits and co-hosting the Heritage Centre photo contest.
The society sponsored two post-secondary scholarships for Hugh Sutherland School students.
The society also had a rural health initiative hosted by the Farm Safety Centre to offer comprehensive health checks for families in the local community.
“There will be follow up on that over the next few years,” he said.
The inaugural Scarecrow Trail was hosted at the Carstairs Nature Space featuring community-made scarecrows, kids scavenger hunt and pumpkin rolling.
“That was a very popular event,” he said.
Carstairs Crazy Christmas saw society volunteers at the Farm Table Storefront to take Santa photos for 200 families.
“We’ve managed to plant hundreds of trees at the Nature Space, and we have plans to plant many, many more,” he said.
Plans for 2022 include the May 14 Arbor Day celebration at the Nature Space, the 4-H Show and Sale on May 24, and Rural Health Initiative on June 2.
Beef & Barley Days is scheduled for July 15-17, the 75th annual Horticulture Show on Aug. 19-20, a second annual Scarecrow Trail event, and the Harvestfest dinner and dance on Nov. 5.
Mayor Lance Colby commended the society for its recent activities and plans going forward.
“We are looking forward to seeing what you are doing this year. Everyone is looking forward to this summer and it should be exciting to get back to normality again and creating a lot of spirit in town,” said Colby.
Established in 1976, the society is operated by a volunteer board.
Council passed a motion allowing a fireworks display again in 2022 at Beef & Barley Days. Council also passed a motion accepting Van Arnam’s report as information.
