INNISFAIL – It was a packed curling rink for the 74th annual Innisfail Farmers and Farmerettes Bonspiel.
The event was held at the Innisfail Curling Club from Jan. 19 to 25.
“It’s been an excellent week,” said Dug Hunt, member of the farmers and farmerettes bonspiel committee. “We had 32 men's teams and 16 ladies teams. That was a full draw for us and that’s what we wanted for teams.”
The week-long bonspiel featured curlers of all ages and levels, a Calcutta auction and supper, and a banquet that wrapped up the event on Jan. 25.
“We had excellent, excellent community support again from our local businesses,” he said. “Sponsorship has been really, really good and we wouldn’t be able to do this bonspiel without our sponsor support. We recognized them ( on Jan. 22) at a special dinner for the sponsors.”
Each team comprised of four curlers with farmers and one member from the local business community.
“Farmers supply three curlers for their team and then we draw a businessman or woman from each of our sponsors to play with that team,” said Hunt.
Following the weeklong event, the finals were held Friday and crowned this year’s winners in four divisions (A, B, C, and D) for men’s and ladies teams.
“It’s a great way for the businesses and the farming community to come together and enjoy a week of fellowship, fun, good food and curling,” said Hunt, noting the different levels of participating curlers. “We’ve had people out here that threw their first rock this week. It’s always a really good week.
“We’re looking forward to next year. Hopefully we can plan a lot of special (activities) for our 75th anniversary next year as well,” he added. “It will be a big year for us.”
Hunt said a portion of the money raised from the event goes back to the community.
“Ten per cent of our Calcutta money that we raise goes back to the Innisfail and District Food Bank. We’ve also made a $500 donation to the junior curling program here with the Innisfail Curling Club to support their upcoming bonspiel.”
Meagan Buyks was one of the many curlers competing with her Servus Credit Union team in the ladies C semifinal on Thursday.
"This is our third time in the bonspiel,” said Buyks. “It’s been great and the food’s been awesome. It’s been a lot of fun.”
