2023
Bentley & District Ag Society
Fair and Rodeo
Bentley & District Ag Society
Fair and Rodeo
Bulletin Board
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bentley & District Ag Society Fair & Rodeo is happening.
Make sure you save the dates.
AUGUST 8-12, 2023
"Salute to the 60th Anniversary of the Bentley Fair & Rodeo Parade"
Organized by the Sunset Hills Riding Club
BENTLEY & DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Bentley & District Agricultural Society became the umbrella under which three primary groups came together for a summer weekend of fun, food, education and celebration for the whole community. The original Certificate of Organization was granted in March 1974 by the Minister of Agriculture. The summer weekend of fun, eventually became the Bentley and District Agricultural Society Town and Country Fair and Rodeo.
On August 7, 1963, a parade, organizied by the Sunset Hills Riding Club (which was started on March 22, 1962) marched down the main street of Bentley. One unique feature was Mary Morison in full skirted riding habit, riding side-saddle on her horse Blackfoot. Every parade needs a "whip-cracking Parade Marshall. Barbara Anderson coached a young teenager,Joanne Butcher,(nee Baumbach) for the duty. She has kept many great parades organized and continues to do so today. A special feature of the Bentley Parade occurred when Gordon Gillard, with microphone in hand fixed a precarious perch on the roof of Martin's Barber Shop to comment on each entry. The Riding Club also initiated an early morning, Pancake Breakfast to start the day's events. To make sure the word spread far and wide, a truck mounted with speakers drove through Gull Lake Campground early in the morning, announcing the breakfast. Campers followed the truck back into town like the Pied Piper.
Then came the "Rodeo" in 1966, sponsored by the Bentley Elks on the Thursday and Friday evenings. The Elks committee for the rodeo included Gordon Gillard, Ken Olson and Harvey Haarstad, while Gimlet Rodeo Stock was contracted to provide stock. Grand Entries have been performed over the years, including "Strike Force", a ladies horseback group organized and led by Tina Wasik. Later the group's name changed to "Sunset Riders, and Lola Jaffray took charge.
Needed was a "Town and Country Fair" to fill in the space for the afternoon. A meeting was organized by Ken Bargholz. Gerry Wynnia the Ag rep from Lacombe served as a resource person. Committees of volunteers organized the Bench Shows. Every local organization, service club and church group sponsored an event or activity.
The Bentley & District Agricultural Society became the umbrella under which three primary groups came together for a summer weekend of fun, food, education and celebration for the whole community. The original Certificate of Organization was granted in March 1974 by the Minister of Agriculture. The summer weekend of fun, eventually became the Bentley and District Agricultural Society Town and Country Fair and Rodeo.
On August 7, 1963, a parade, organizied by the Sunset Hills Riding Club (which was started on March 22, 1962) marched down the main street of Bentley. One unique feature was Mary Morison in full skirted riding habit, riding side-saddle on her horse Blackfoot. Every parade needs a "whip-cracking Parade Marshall. Barbara Anderson coached a young teenager,Joanne Butcher,(nee Baumbach) for the duty. She has kept many great parades organized and continues to do so today. A special feature of the Bentley Parade occurred when Gordon Gillard, with microphone in hand fixed a precarious perch on the roof of Martin's Barber Shop to comment on each entry. The Riding Club also initiated an early morning, Pancake Breakfast to start the day's events. To make sure the word spread far and wide, a truck mounted with speakers drove through Gull Lake Campground early in the morning, announcing the breakfast. Campers followed the truck back into town like the Pied Piper.
Then came the "Rodeo" in 1966, sponsored by the Bentley Elks on the Thursday and Friday evenings. The Elks committee for the rodeo included Gordon Gillard, Ken Olson and Harvey Haarstad, while Gimlet Rodeo Stock was contracted to provide stock. Grand Entries have been performed over the years, including "Strike Force", a ladies horseback group organized and led by Tina Wasik. Later the group's name changed to "Sunset Riders, and Lola Jaffray took charge.
Needed was a "Town and Country Fair" to fill in the space for the afternoon. A meeting was organized by Ken Bargholz. Gerry Wynnia the Ag rep from Lacombe served as a resource person. Committees of volunteers organized the Bench Shows. Every local organization, service club and church group sponsored an event or activity.
Over the years many unique activities were part of the event - the Riding Club organized a gymkhana, drawing area contestants. The Fair hosted a Little Red Barn with livestock including exotic chickens courtesy of Len Stoness, Mrs. Beasley - a brown Swiss-Holstein cross cow could be milked, Rosie Nelson brought sheep and Squeeky the donkey was available for rides. Many cattle breeds were represented at the cattle show including Charolais, Horned and Polled Herefords, Angus and Shorthorns, all of which were being raised by area residents. Doug's Exotic Zoo came with zoo animals and Ellis Bird Farm brought a display.
Not only animals were part of the entertainment, as a quad/lawn tractor race was held for several years, and the Outlet Get Together Club sponsored a pie social for seniors. Young people were not forgotten, as a mini tractor pull took place in the Elks parking lot. Shut-ins at the hospital were entertained by a clown, who then put on a children's show along with community members painting faces for the young. Midways were brought in for several years, and pony rides were available.
Shirley and Diane Butcher prepared the first catalog of events. Then, Bev Brandon carried on until 1995. Agnes Palmer and Helen McLachlan cranked out copies on the old Gestetner machine. June Norvila took over from Bev and continues to compile it. In 1982, the printing of the booked cost one hundred dollars, donated by the Royal Purple. An advertising budget to send information to the media was five hundred and fifty dollars that year, while in 2006 the cost was three thousand dollars.
CHANGES through the years:
1967 - through 70's - two days of events (Breakfast, Parade, Rodeo, Gymkhana)
1971 - special events included Feed and Forage Class in the Bench Show
Livestock Show - cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, poultry and pets
Dunk Tank
1972 - Beef BBQ and Rodeo Dance added
1973 - Horseshoe Tournament and Little Red Barn
1974 - Kids Pony Rides and Drop-in Social
1975 - Children's Games and Elks Concession Booth at Rodeo
1977 - Heavy Horse Pull (cost was two cases of beer)
1978 - Third day added
1979 - Shepherd Dog Obedience Demo
1980 - celebration of Alberta's 75th Anniversary Senior choir participated
Special baby show - won by Frank & Jeanette Metro's 1st granddaughter
1981 - Fifteenth Annual Rodeo, puppet show entertainment
1982 - Flea Market held
1983 - Ladies Slow Pitch Tournament, Interdenominational Church Service, English Horse Show
1984 - became four day event - R.M. Fisher presented an art slide show, caravan exhibit from provincial museum, Bossy Bingo, Jackass Polo, Junior Rodeo
1985 - Kids Carnival
1986 - Computerized Health Appraisal Van, Farmers Market
1988 - Dep't of Highways Seat Belt Demo, Blindman Valley 4-H Beef Club Display
1989 - Environment Display, balloon rides
1990 -Parkland Savings served breakfast on Sat, Chamber of Commerce hosted Beef on a Bun, Kids Midway
1991 - Petting Zoo and Donkey Rides, Old Time Fiddlers Contest
1992 - Dunk Tank, Speed Knitters Contest
1993 - Doug's Exotic Zoo, Face Painting
1994 - Live entertainment - Chamber of Commerce
1995 - Llama Show, Chili Cooking Contest, Children's Contest sponsored by the Bank of Montreal, Children's Amusements
1996 - Museum Open, Children's Tractor Pull
1997 - Vintage Tractor Pull, Show & Shine, Pony Club Dressage Demo, Rosco the Clown
1998 - Children's Treasure Hunt, Stock Dog Trials
2001 - Bison Burger BBQ, Inflatable Bouncing Toy, Hot Dog Sale, Quad Prod Fun Run, Garage Sale, Elevator Drive-in Movie
2002 - Pony Rides, Cattle Penning
2004 - Midway, UFA History in Motion Trailer
2005 - Medicine Hills Art Festival, Fireworks
2006 - Reptile Display
2007 -
2008 -
2009 -
2010 -
2011 - Pony rides
2012 - Lazer Tag for kids
2013 - Lazer Tag for kids
2014 - Bungee Run and Jousting
2015 - bazAART Show & Sale + Craft Beer & Wine Tasting
2016 - No School Exhibit
2017 - Lockdown pods for everyone, Bouncy Castle indoors at the BVAC
2018 - No changes
2019 - Junior Rodeo
2020 - No Fair due to COVID
2021 - No Fair due to COVID
2022 - Junior Rodeo
Some of the events have come & gone as interest cycled, but one constant has remained - the event always follows the long weekend in August, and is eagerly anticipated and attended by area residents and distant visitors
Not only animals were part of the entertainment, as a quad/lawn tractor race was held for several years, and the Outlet Get Together Club sponsored a pie social for seniors. Young people were not forgotten, as a mini tractor pull took place in the Elks parking lot. Shut-ins at the hospital were entertained by a clown, who then put on a children's show along with community members painting faces for the young. Midways were brought in for several years, and pony rides were available.
Shirley and Diane Butcher prepared the first catalog of events. Then, Bev Brandon carried on until 1995. Agnes Palmer and Helen McLachlan cranked out copies on the old Gestetner machine. June Norvila took over from Bev and continues to compile it. In 1982, the printing of the booked cost one hundred dollars, donated by the Royal Purple. An advertising budget to send information to the media was five hundred and fifty dollars that year, while in 2006 the cost was three thousand dollars.
CHANGES through the years:
1967 - through 70's - two days of events (Breakfast, Parade, Rodeo, Gymkhana)
1971 - special events included Feed and Forage Class in the Bench Show
Livestock Show - cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, poultry and pets
Dunk Tank
1972 - Beef BBQ and Rodeo Dance added
1973 - Horseshoe Tournament and Little Red Barn
1974 - Kids Pony Rides and Drop-in Social
1975 - Children's Games and Elks Concession Booth at Rodeo
1977 - Heavy Horse Pull (cost was two cases of beer)
1978 - Third day added
1979 - Shepherd Dog Obedience Demo
1980 - celebration of Alberta's 75th Anniversary Senior choir participated
Special baby show - won by Frank & Jeanette Metro's 1st granddaughter
1981 - Fifteenth Annual Rodeo, puppet show entertainment
1982 - Flea Market held
1983 - Ladies Slow Pitch Tournament, Interdenominational Church Service, English Horse Show
1984 - became four day event - R.M. Fisher presented an art slide show, caravan exhibit from provincial museum, Bossy Bingo, Jackass Polo, Junior Rodeo
1985 - Kids Carnival
1986 - Computerized Health Appraisal Van, Farmers Market
1988 - Dep't of Highways Seat Belt Demo, Blindman Valley 4-H Beef Club Display
1989 - Environment Display, balloon rides
1990 -Parkland Savings served breakfast on Sat, Chamber of Commerce hosted Beef on a Bun, Kids Midway
1991 - Petting Zoo and Donkey Rides, Old Time Fiddlers Contest
1992 - Dunk Tank, Speed Knitters Contest
1993 - Doug's Exotic Zoo, Face Painting
1994 - Live entertainment - Chamber of Commerce
1995 - Llama Show, Chili Cooking Contest, Children's Contest sponsored by the Bank of Montreal, Children's Amusements
1996 - Museum Open, Children's Tractor Pull
1997 - Vintage Tractor Pull, Show & Shine, Pony Club Dressage Demo, Rosco the Clown
1998 - Children's Treasure Hunt, Stock Dog Trials
2001 - Bison Burger BBQ, Inflatable Bouncing Toy, Hot Dog Sale, Quad Prod Fun Run, Garage Sale, Elevator Drive-in Movie
2002 - Pony Rides, Cattle Penning
2004 - Midway, UFA History in Motion Trailer
2005 - Medicine Hills Art Festival, Fireworks
2006 - Reptile Display
2007 -
2008 -
2009 -
2010 -
2011 - Pony rides
2012 - Lazer Tag for kids
2013 - Lazer Tag for kids
2014 - Bungee Run and Jousting
2015 - bazAART Show & Sale + Craft Beer & Wine Tasting
2016 - No School Exhibit
2017 - Lockdown pods for everyone, Bouncy Castle indoors at the BVAC
2018 - No changes
2019 - Junior Rodeo
2020 - No Fair due to COVID
2021 - No Fair due to COVID
2022 - Junior Rodeo
Some of the events have come & gone as interest cycled, but one constant has remained - the event always follows the long weekend in August, and is eagerly anticipated and attended by area residents and distant visitors
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