INNISFAIL – Jarvis Zawatsky is a 24-year-old stand-up comic originally from the tiny town of Saltcoats, Saskatchewan who by his own admission often passes for 13.
Zawatsky, working hard at his craft to forever shed a rookie status, has a self-depreciating style of comedy that comes across as the ultimate nerd.
“Growing up, I would make my buddies laugh and my family, and I was the class clown in school,” said Zawatsky, who today is a part-time comic with big dreams of making it big.
Lori Ferguson-Ford on the other hand is an award-winning 38-year veteran of the comedy business, a former waitress who once got a $52,000 tip from a grateful customer that inspired her to go full-time with comedy for the next 35 years.
“I don't hold anything back. I know how to read a room,” said Ferguson-Ford, a Calgarian who is now 61 and performs full-time across the county.
“She’s a superstar,” said Zawatsky.
However, on April 16 the young man who looks like he’s just 13 made a big splash at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104 in Innisfail with a hilarious 45-minute opening comic act that had more than 250 people laughing uproariously.
He was followed by headliner Ferguson-Ford who had the same impact on the crowd.
On this night both were superstars.
The pair were this year’s featured comic duo for the 12th annual 2025 Boob Tour stop in Innisfail, an event that broke another fundraising record for the Red Deer-based Central Alberta Cancer Centre.
When the evening was over organizers estimated that more than $18,000 was raised through $30 ticket sales, live and silent auctions and a 50/50 draw.
The night’s total money raised in the ongoing battle against cancer beat the previous record of $17,400 that was set in 2024.
Ron King is a legend in Innisfail. He is also a superstar himself for his tireless commitment of volunteering, so much so he was crowned Innisfail’s Citizen of the Year in 2023.
He is also doubly committed to volunteering for the town’s annual Boob Tour event.
King’s wife Ro passed away at the age of 52 from cancer in 2007.
“She battled cancer for two years, chemo and radiation, and then it just took over,” said King. “She had suffered, but not a long time. She only spent two and a half days in the hospital before she passed away."
Ro was the sister of Innisfail Boob Tour co-chair Danny Rieberger. King is the father of Trish Proctor, the event’s other co-chair.
“Ro’s dad had cancer, and one of the brothers had cancer. He was cured. So, it's just an ongoing thing for us to continue to do it,” said King.
Since Ro’s passing, he has committed himself to volunteer at cancer fundraisers, including the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life, and then the Boob Tour.
“This has just evolved, and we just get such amazing support from the community,” said King. “The legion can contribute the way they can, and Field & Forge Brewing is a major sponsor for us. We’re just very fortunate to have this community and the backing that they give us.
“I've lived here 55 years and the community just continues to amaze me every day.”
