INNISFAIL – Inside the Innisfail Curling Club a score of fans for the roaring game were watching a semifinal match intently from above in the lounge.
They came from all corners of the region, many of them from farming families.
As fans and players watched the game they had a bite to eat and chatted. Many did not had the chance to talk things over with their rural friends for many months, even as long as a year ago when the last bonspiel in their name was held.
But like the 75 bonspiels before it, this year’s 76th annual Innisfail Farmers and Farmerettes Bonspiel from Jan. 22 to 26 was another chapter of fond memories; a time for friends and family members to reconnect, a time for old-fashioned camaraderie and fun, as well as competitive action on the ice.
As a video for the event’s Facebook page described for semifinal action on Jan. 25, it was a time to get ‘er done - 12 hours a day for five memorable days.
Reed Sparks is a member of the 76th annual bonspiel’s organizing committee.
The 35-year-old farmer from east of Innisfail has been coming to the annual farmers and farmerettes bonspiel for the past 10 years.
He said his father curled and convinced him and his brother to learn the game by attending men’s night action in Innisfail.
“And then once he thought we were good enough to go with him he started taking us to the ‘spiel too,” said Sparks. “It's been going 76 years, and there's a lot of people that really look forward to this week and going for lunch and meeting and seeing all the people again that you don't always get to see.
“And yes, I think it's really important.”
Sparks said It takes the committee three and a half months of getting together and organizing sponsors, the event-ending banquet and daily lunches.
He proudly notes there are at least 50 sponsors this year for the 76th annual ‘spiel.
“We had a down year last year but this year the support has been phenomenal,” said Sparks.
He said every team in bonspiel has at least two farmers. This year there were a total of 28 teams in the open ‘spiel, as well as eight ladies’ teams, the latter not entered for the 75th annual event.
And for five days leading up to the semifinals and into the finals, the action became increasingly competitive, with the roaring game’s traditional ‘hurry hard’ mantra to sweep harder and faster echoing throughout the rink louder and louder.
“Absolutely. They are in the semis now and these are the most competitive games probably going on right now of the ‘spiel other than the final,” said Sparks. “So yeah, there's definitely some pride out there. The players really like winning.”
However, almost all participants, especially ones from the farm, play for the love of their way of life and for the sacred camaraderie.
When it was all over there was the banquet on Saturday evening (Jan. 27) at Bowden’s Paterson Community Centre, a new wrap-up venue for the bonspiel.
For the curlers there was a Champions trophy for the winner of the open competition, and another for the winning ladies team.
In open Farmers competition, the A event winner was Team Brandt, with Travis Phillips, Kevin Vennard, Taylor Olsen, and Brody Nestorvich.
The B event winner was Team Blue Rock, with Doug Hunt, Joey Olson, Ed Spruit, and Lee Eddy.
The C event winner was Team Howell’s, with Hanno Buyks, Derek Mathon, Glen Hansen, and Justin Calder.
The D event winner was C & B Electric, with Doug Randomske, Gary White, Dale McMullen, and Chris Benko.
The Farmerettes A event winner was Team Innisfail EyeCare with Kim Lewis, Lori Neimeyer, Robyn Benko, and Garilynn Morris.
The Farmerettes B event winner was Team Zenally Accounting with Meghan Marshall, Caroline Hansen, Ashley Willert, and Cheryl Snideman.
They all received a belt buckle, a revered keepsake to remind them of this special time-honoured annual event that symbolizes their special kinship for each other.
