The 28th Annual Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days, sponsored by the Crossroads Agricultural Society, was held on August 8 to 10 at Pine Lake's Crossroads Ag Park.
Old-fashioned fun for the entire family was held under beautiful blue skies and super full moon nights.
The weekend kicked off with an outstanding Dinner Show on Friday night. 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 Shannon Smith and her Man I Feel Like Shania tribute show, complete with multiple costume changes, and accompanied by a talented six-piece band.
Our agricultural theme for 2014 was a Salute to the Family Farm. Jim Vincent organized a colourful display, complete with colouring books and other neat giveaways, depicting 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, the fair chairperson, complimented the quality of the exhibits, and expressed the pride by which the Crossroads Ag Society showcases the creative talent of the local artisans.
The 2014 Grand Aggregate winner of the fair exhibits was Gwen Renouf (Elnora). Section aggregate winners were as follows:
Grains & Grasses (sponsored by Dave Smith) won by Paddy Douglas
Preserves (Coffee Chicks) won by Gwen Renouf
Baking (Lake View Ladies Club) won by Anne Moore
Needlecraft (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Teresa Rolvink
Handcraft (Glenellen Community Club) won by Sarah Dancey-Fletcher
Art (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Sarah Dancey-Fletcher
And Steven Vincent
Photography (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Teresa Diegel
Flowers, Vegetables, & Fruit (Parkland Nurseries) won by Gwen Renouf
Special Cup & Saucer Award (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Doreen Vincent
Golden Age (Ghost Pine 40 + Club) won by Anne Moore
Pee Wee (Pine Lake Cannons) won by Clara Hoffer
Junior A (12 & Under) (Pine Lake Cannons) won by Cheyanne Douglas
Junior B (17 & Under) (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Sarah Dancey Fletcher
The Ed Beckingsale Memorial Trophy for highest overall achievement in Grains & Grasses was presented by Winnie (Beckingsale) MacFadyen to Paddy Douglas of Pine Lake.
The Greta Hargreaves Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Baking Class was presented by Ann (Hargreaves) Gelinas to Anne Moore of Pine Lake.
The Special Award Class (cup & saucer arrangement with fresh flowers, any colour) was donated by the Crossroads Ag Society and won by Doreen Vincent 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 Cheyanne Douglas.
The Marlene Dancey Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Junior B class (17 & under) was presented by Ken Dancey to Sarah Dancey Fletcher of Calgary.
The Grand Aggregate Award for highest overall achievement in all classes was presented by Judy Dreeshen to Gwen Renouf of Elnora.
The Table of Outstanding Articles came from the following exhibitors:
Gwen Renouf for Jam
Mark Phillips and Teresa Diegel for Photography
Paddy Douglas for Sheaf Canola
Doug Wood for Leathercraft & White Cake
Anne Moore for Crocheted Doilie
Victor Lawrence for Vase of Lillies
Joy Douglas for Wall Hanging
There were many special events at this year's fair, which provided a fun family weekend for all ages. Dreeshen thanked all of the many sponsors and volunteers for their efforts in bringing such a great event to the community with free admission to the grounds.
Children's Entertainment on Saturday afternoon (sponsored by Green Acres Resort, Pine Lake) featured many fun games 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 two to 17. First-, second- and third-place winners received ribbons. 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 Insurance Agency, Innisfail) was served to over 200 people, who enjoyed a hearty helping of pancakes, bacon, and sausage. Celebrity pancake flipper, Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen, along with a great crew of volunteers, did an excellent job of preparing and serving a delicious breakfast.
The Sunday Tea (sponsored by the Crossroads Ag Society) followed the exhibit awards presentations and featured an artistically decorated cake served with tea, coffee, and juice. Exhibitor Doug Wood delighted those in attendance by adding his award-winning white cake to the service.
All sporting events were very well attended again this year.
During the Poker Walk (sponsored by Farm Business Consulting, Red Deer) participants enjoyed a leisurely walk through the three kilometres of beautiful wildflowers and berries along the nature trails, where indentations of the old wagon trail can still be seen in the virgin prairie wool grasses. Winners of the event were Brandi Burke, Jason Fontaine and Carrie Kreil.
The Doubles Cribbage Tournament (sponsored by Penhold Building Supplies, Penhold) trophies went to winners Sabrina Renouf and Alexa Sackela-Gieger. The Lydia Moore Memorial Trophy, dedicated in memory of area pioneer and longtime fair volunteer and cribbage enthusiast Lydia Moore, was presented by Judy (Moore) Dreeshen and Bonnie (Moore) Langevin.
The Doubles Bean Bag Tournament (sponsored by Llewellyn Plumbing, Innisfail) was a very popular event again this year. The A event was won by Sadie and Bonnie Langevin. The B event was won by the team of Darrell Gunn and Pat Wozney.
The Men's Doubles Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Whispering Pine Golf & Country Club, Pine Lake) A event winners were Ron Wozney and Gerry Whyles.
The Ladies' Doubles Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Heritage Spruce Farm, Pine Lake) A event was won by Sadie Langevin and Alexa Sackela-Gieger. The Mixed Slow Pitch Tournament (sponsored by the Crossroads Ag Society and Southside Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Red Deer) was the feature sporting event of the weekend, with 18 family and community teams competing.
The A event medallion winners were the JMS Team (Calgary), with runner-up, the Bull Dogs (Bowden). The B event was won by High Inside (Red Deer). The C event was won by the Joel Dyck Team (Trochu). The D event was won by The Bowie Clan (Ponoka). The E Event was won by The Why Nots (Calgary).
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 29th Annual Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days, on the second weekend of August, 2015, for a wonderful old-fashioned, fun-filled country fair experience.
