Organizers say the annual Markerville Pioneer Days was a success despite Mother Nature having a huge say with wet interludes.More than 500 people attended the two-day event on June 25 and 26, and at first the weather co-operated.ìWe really lucked out on Saturday (June 25). It didn't rain until the afternoon, halfway through the tractor pulling,î said Ellen Widdifield, secretary-treasurer of the Markerville Vintage Machinery Club, which organized the event. ìWe managed to get the ones that couldn't finish Saturday pulled through on Sunday.îDespite the arrival of rain the event went on. More than 60 tractors showed for a parade, tractor pulls, a thrasher demonstration and slow races, the latter featuring winners who are last to cross the finish line.For children, event organizers had a Kid Tractor Pull contest and a Cream Can Train, featuring 16 cream cans on wheels. As well, children played in sand piles where they were invited to have fun by hunting for money.On Saturday night a potluck supper was held on the community grounds, which was followed by a jam session.ìIt all went very well,î said Widdifield in spite of the uneven weather. ìA lot of comments we received from visitors were ones wondering and asking if we were going to put it on next year.îThis year's pioneer days was the 22nd annual community event and Widdifield said it would return next year.
