Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days 2017

PINE LAKE - The 31st Annual Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days, sponsored by the Crossroads Agricultural Society, was held from Aug. 11 to 13 at the Crossroads Ag Park in Pine Lake.

Old-fashioned fun for the entire family was had under beautiful blue skies and warm sunny days.

The weekend kicked off with an outstanding Dinner Show on Friday night (Aug. 11). The evening began with a delicious Alberta beef dinner prepared by Roselie and Andy Engman and family. Following the dinner, the Crossroads Ag Society proudly presented Richard and Deborah Popovich's high energy Rock 'n' Roll Country Comedy Show.

Our fair theme for 2017 was a Salute to Canada's 150th Birthday. Gwen Renouf organized a colourful agricultural display featuring the importance of farm safety, complete with colouring books, pencils and magnets that depicted many farm safety strategies for both adults and children. Fair exhibits were judged Saturday morning and beautifully displayed in the west wing throughout the weekend. Judy Dreeshen, fair chairperson, welcomed new exhibitors and complimented the quality of the exhibits. The new system of entry, with no pre-registration requirements, continues to be well received, as was our website, www.crossroadsagsociety.com, designed by Megan Buyks.

The 2017 Grand Aggregate Winner of the Fair Exhibits was Betty Lippert (Pine Lake).

In celebration of Canada's 150th Birthday, the beautiful Canada 150 commemorative coin sets (delivered directly from the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa by Devin Dreeshen) were awarded to all section winners.

Section aggregate winners and sponsors were as follows:

Grains & Grasses (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Earl Dreeshen

Preserves (Coffee Chicks) won by Betty Lippert

Baking (Lake View Ladies Club) won by Betty Lippert

Needlecraft (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Margaret Rehman

Handcraft (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Leanne Murray

Art & Calligraphy (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Linda Braun

Photography (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Teresa Diegel

Flowers, Vegetables & Fruit (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Gwen Renouf

Special Cup & Saucer Award (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Lynn Kadar

Golden Age (Ghost Pine 40 + Club) won by Margaret Rehman

Pee Wee (Pre-School) (Pine Lake Cannons) won by Julian Buyks and Jersi Kwok

Junior A (12 & Under) (Pine Lake Cannons) won by Loagan Bissell

Junior B (17 & Under) (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Keely Radmacher

The Ed Beckingsale Memorial Trophy for highest overall achievement in Grains & Grasses was presented by Jack MacFadyen to Earl Dreeshen of Pine Lake.

The Greta Hargreaves Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Baking Class was presented by Judy Dreeshen to Betty Lippert of Elnora.

The Special Award Class (cup & saucer arrangement with fresh flowers, any colour) was donated by the Crossroads Ag Society and won by Lynn Kadar of Pine Lake.

The Eugene Moran Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Junior A class (12 & under) was presented by Kathy Lynn Moran to Loagan Bissell.

The Marlene Dancey Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Junior B class (17 & under) was awarded to Keely Radmacher.

The Grand Aggregate Award for highest overall achievement in all classes was presented by Judy Dreeshen to Betty Lippert of Pine Lake.

The Table of Outstanding Articles featured articles from the following exhibitors:

Earl Dreeshen for Sheaf Canola

Paddy Douglas for Ceramic Cowboys

Lynn Kadar for Jam

Doug Swanson for Photography – Skyscape, Children & People

Sue MacDougall for Ginger Snaps

Linda Braun for Crocheting, small article

Mary Keenen for Lap Quilt

Margaret Rehman for Machine Quilt, Crocheting, Quilt

Teresa Diegel for Photography -- Animals

Gwen Renouf for Photography – nostalgic look at the past

Victor Lawerence for Vase of Lilies

Jersi Kwok for Vegetable Creation

Autumn Hutton for Industrial Arts, large chair

There were many special events at this year's fair, which provided a fun family weekend for all ages. Children's Entertainment on Saturday afternoon (sponsored by Green Acres Resort, Pine Lake) featured many fun games organized by Megan Buyks, much to the delight of the many children in attendance.

Kiddies' Races (sponsored by Servus Credit Union, Innisfail) featured old-fashioned sack races, partner races, three-legged races, dashes, and long-distance runs for ages 2 to 17. All of the children who participated had a great deal of fun and received a bag full of prizes for their efforts.

The Kiddies' Scavenger Hunt (sponsored by Leisure Campground, Pine Lake) took place on Sunday afternoon. The children gleefully roamed the lovely Nature Trails of the Crossroads Ag Park looking for their treasures. All received prize bags upon their return.

The Sunday morning pancake breakfast (sponsored by Central Alberta Coop and Freeman's Insurance Agency, Innisfail) was served to more than 150 people, who enjoyed a hearty helping of pancakes, bacon, and sausage prepared by a great group of youth volunteers: Sabrina Renouf, Devin Dreeshen, and Alex and Dani Forsberg.

The Sunday Tea (sponsored by the Crossroads Ag Society) followed the exhibit awards presentations and featured an artistically decorated Canada 150 cake served with tea, coffee and juice.

All sporting events were organized by Sports Coordinator, Bonnie Langevin, and very well attended again this year.

The Poker Walk (sponsored by Farm Business Consulting, Red Deer) participants enjoyed a leisurely walk through the three kilometres of beautiful wild flowers and berries along the Nature Trails, where indentions of the old wagon trail can still be seen in the virgin prairie wool grasses. Winners of the event were Murray McLachlan, Lorena Rinehart and Darilyn Coon.

The Doubles Cribbage Tournament (sponsored by Penhold Building Supplies) trophies went to winners Charlie Bowie & Bonnie Jean Longjohn. The Lydia Moore Memorial Trophy, dedicated in memory of area pioneer and longtime fair volunteer and cribbage enthusiast, Lydia Moore, was presented by Bonnie (Moore) Langevin, Judy (Moore) Dreeshen & Charlie Moore. Close runners-up were Devin Dreeshen & Judy Dreeshen.

The Doubles Bean Bag Tournament (sponsored by Sure Shot Environmental, Penhold) was a very popular event again this year. The A Event was won by Lane Janssen & Justin Kennedy. Runners-up were Phillip Massier & Kathy Kosik.

The Men's Doubles Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Moore Ranch, Pine Lake) A Event winners were Trent Domoney & Carl Krieger.

The Ladies' Doubles Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Heritage Spruce Farm, Pine Lake) A Event winners were Arlene Porter & Bonnie Langevin.

The Mixed Slow Pitch Tournament (sponsored by the Crossroads Ag Society and Southside Dodge, Chrysler, & Jeep, Red Deer) was organized by Ball Coordinators, Roselie Engman and Valerie Domoney and featured 18 family & community teams competing.

The A Event gold medallion winner was the I'd Hit That team (Red Deer), with runner-up team, the Glow with the Flow (Red Deer). The B Event was won by Hustlers (Medicine Hat), with runner-up, Genesis (Trochu). The C Event was won by the Big Stix (Red Deer) with runner-up The Heaters (Red Deer). The D Event was won by Take That Pitches (Olds) with runner-up Brew Crew (Red Deer). The E Event was won by The Y-Nots (Red Deer).

Organizers expressed great satisfaction with the success of the fair. A special salute goes to the many volunteers and sponsors who contribute so generously of their time and money for the betterment of our community.

Everyone is cordially invited to attend the 32nd Annual Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days, on the second weekend of August 2018. Organizers are looking forward to a record number of exhibit entries as they will be further streamlining and expanding their exhibitor outreach. Everyone is invited for a wonderful old-fashioned, fun-filled country fair experience. Be sure to check out our website at www.crossroadsagsociety.com and click on Fair Days for more information.