A large variety of things to see and do attracted people from all over Central Alberta to Leslieville Saturday and Sunday.
Central Alberta Antique and Model Club’s annual Antique Days offered a number of pioneer-related events and activities.
They included demonstrations in bread making and cinnamon bun making, a flea market, and the ever-popular tractor pull, which hosted 82 tractors.
“It went really well, it was phenomenal,” said club secretary and tractor pull organizer Deanne Mosset.
Although numbers for the tractor pull were down slightly, gate admission for the entire weekend was up, according to Mosset.
Final numbers were not available at press time, but Mosset said she learned admission was up almost $2,000.
“There’s just more features and more stuff for the kids to do,” she said. “It’s family oriented, there’s lots to see and lots to do.”
Participating in the tractor pull were contestants from all over Alberta, including places as far away as Vermilion and Lethbridge.
It’s just one of a number of tractor pulls held in Central Alberta; others take place throughout the summer in Markerville, Lacombe and Leduc.
The flea market — offering everything from aprons to wooden pop guns — proved to be a hit once again. It’s large variety of items offered has made it a highlight for those who attend the event each year, said Mosset.
“There’s just so much stuff there.”
A new stationary airplane for children to ride in was introduced to the event for the first time; the lineup of children waiting to get on it was indicative of its instant popularity.
Mosset said there was a large mixture of people at the event, which included those who attend it annually, as well as those who attended for the first time.
Attendees’ ages varied, she added.
“From what I heard from the people at the gates, there were people of all ages, from zero to 99.”
The success of the event was due largely to volunteers who worked tirelessly in the days and months leading up to the event, and during it, said Mosset.
Setting up, taking down and cleaning are just some of the tasks required by the club’s volunteers in ensuring the event’s success.
The club will meet in October to begin planning next year’s Antique Days, which takes place every year during the first weekend in August. As is typical with each event, new features and attractions will be added.
“It’s pretty much the same venue, it’s just every year there seems to be something added,” said Mosset. “Every year we try to do a new project.”
A new announcer shack may be added in time for next year’s event.
The event’s open-style concept, however, will remain the same.
“People just pay at the gate, park their car, and they’re free to walk the grounds where everything is,” said Mosset. “If you’re into the venue, and you’re into antique stuff, it’s a lot of fun.”
Results from the tractor pull, in order of first, second and third place, are as follows:
Featherweight, 0-3,999 LB: Robin Larsen; Hal Lougheed; David Lougheed.
Class 1, 4,000-4,999 LB: William Crocker; Boris Heshka; Terry Hanlon.
Class 2, 5,000-5,999 LB: Keith Crocker; Jeff Dell; Len Aucoin.
Class 3, 6,000-6,999 LB: Howard Hildebrand; Rod Leighton; Jared Nafziger.
Class 4, 7,000-8,499 LB: Ken Jones; William Crocker; Reg Mosset.
Class 5, 8,500-9,999 LB: Keith Crocker; Howard Fleming; Jared Nafziger.
Class 6, 10,000-plus LB: Melissa Stark; Jared Nafziger.