A new Miss Rodeo Okotoks will be crowned on Sunday and the three contestants, Kelsey Reinboldt-Lynch, Kenna Lockwood and Alexandra Berlie, have gone through the rigors of exams, fashions shows and public speaking engagements all to be crowned Miss Rodeo Okotoks 2010 at the Okotoks Recreation Centre on Sunday.

“I think the hardest part for me was the public speaking for sure,” said Lockwood.

Miss Rodeo Okotoks Kezia Morrison models an outfit at the Miss Rodeo Okotoks fashion show on Aug. 26 at the Foothills Centennial Centre. Photo Al Bourassa

She said it is a lot of work preparing a speech and standing on stage before a crowd of people. On the flip side of that coin, Reinboldt-Lynch said public speaking was a breeze and it was the fashion show she struggled with.

“It was just something that I have never done before,” said Reinboldt-Lynch.

The three contestants have completed a round of exams and interviews, a test of horsemanship to go with the public speaking engagement. The second day of the rodeo is an all-out blitz of public appearances for the hopefuls including the Olde Towne Okotoks Country Fair, the new Magic Rodeo, visiting sponsors and the 10^th annual Chili Cook Off.

Reinboldt-Lynch said the experience of competition has been great so far.

“We were all good friends through it,” she said.

Jenni Malin, director of the Miss Rodeo Okotoks committee, said the contest is much more than a beauty pageant. Contestants have to do more than look pretty on the back of a parade float.

“They have to be able to ride, they have to be able to speak publically, they have to be able to do impromptus,” said Malin.

All contestants had to go through an impromptu question period where they had to answer inquiries on a number of topics before judges. Lockwood said she had no idea what the judges were going to ask and she struggled when she had to provide her own opinion instead of a direct answer.

“The questions can range from horsemanship to the economy to your life,” said Lockwood.

On Thursday, the contestants participated in a Gala and Fashion Show at the Foothills Centennial Arena. For Lockwood trying on a number of designer fashions was her favourite aspect of the Miss Rodeo contest process.

“The clothes you got to wear were unbelievable,” said Lockwood.

Having been raised on the back of a horse, the test of horsemanship skills was a breeze for Berlie but she agreed public speaking was down on her list of favourites.

“I didn’t mind it, everyone gets nerves I think,” said Berlie.

Even with a jam-packed schedule and the crowning on Sunday, Berlie said she doesn’t have a case of nerves just yet.

“Saturday is completely hectic from eight to 11, it going to be crazy,” said Berlie.

The current contestants met with the director of the committee, Malin and the reigning Miss Rodeo Okotoks Kezia Morrison on Aug. 4 before starting the contest. The winner will compete in Miss Rodeo Canada in 2011 at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton. Morrison will represent Okotoks at this year’s competition.

rnorthrop@okotoks.greatwest.ca

http://www.missrodeookotoks.webs.com/

Games committee chairman John Barlow said the response to the event on Saturday was so overwhelmingly positive, he can’t imagine being anywhere else.

“All day people were coming up to me telling me how wonderful the facility was, how wonderful the atmosphere was, how much fun they were having,” he said.

While it’s the event’s first year in Okotoks, it had been running for 10 years in High River.

He estimated more than 5,000 people passed through the gates at Foothills Composite High School on Saturday for the Games’ Okotoks debut. During its time in High River, he said the highest attendance was about 3,200 people for its 10^th anniversary in 2009.

With an increase like this, he said the change was worth the effort.

“We knew it would be a successful move,” he said. “We thought it would be a more central location and make it more of a regional event.”

The foothills event included all the elements of a proper Highland Games including competitions in heavy events, piping and drumming and highland dancing. Other things such as sheep dog demonstrations, medieval battle recreations, musket and cannon displays and vendors rounded out the Games. The traditional ending for a Highland Games is a ceilidh – essentially a social gathering with music and dancing and the games organizers have always prided themselves on hosting memorable ceilidh’s.

Barlow said the Foothills Composite High School was an excellent venue for the event with ample parking at the school and down the street at John Paul II Collegiate.

Organizers were initially worried the football field would be too small for the event, but it worked to their advantage in the end.

“It was very intimate, it was easy to get to all the events,” said Barlow.

Their other primary concern also turned out to be unfounded. Barlow said Okotoks already has a busy summer schedule and they questioned whether it could sustain another event.

Judging by the attendance, he said they were ecstatic to be proven wrong on this account as well.

Okotoks Mayor Bill McAlpine said he hopes it will become an annual event in Okotoks, saying it will be an excellent addition to the town’s roster of summer events

“I thought it went very well,” he said.

McAlpine said it helps to support the local business community by bringing more people into town and expanding Okotoks’ exposure to new visitors.

“In anything like that, the economic spinoff is great,” he said.

Maria Clarke, manager of the Lakeview Inn and Suites, said it was a busy weekend at the hotel, which was nearly full the night of the Games.

“We would’ve been full, if not for some last minute cancellations,” she said.

For Original Joe’s owner Shaun Anderson, who hosted an official after party on Saturday night, getting involved in the event was an opportunity to expose the business to new customers.

“We’ve never been that busy on a Saturday night,” he said.

Anderson said Saturday’s lunch hour was also busier than usual and the bar was full that night, but the afternoon was slower than usual.

“It was a wash, but it was good to see some new faces and get more exposure,” he said.

Former Art Gallery of Alberta executive director Tony Luppino will take over the leadership at the Leighton Art Cente on Sept. 1.

“I have been intrigued for years by this art centre in the Foothills that nurtures practicing artists and inspires art and nature appreciators,” he said. “The centre has ambitious plans to build on its unique Alberta heritage inspired by an artist who was way ahead of his time.”

Leighton Art Centre's new director Tony Luppino

Luppino has held leadership roles in Canada’s arts and cultural communities for more than 20 years.

He was the executive director of the Art Gallery of Alberta from 2003 to 2009.

In addition to providing leadership in programs and the gallery’s collection, he led the organization through the funding and construction of the new gallery in Edmonton. He also served on the board for the McMichael Gallery in Ontario.

‘This is an opportunity to make a real contribution to the visual arts in Western Canada at so many levels that I just could not pass up the opportunity,” said Luppino.

Paul Squires, chairman of the centre’s board of directors, said the centre will benefit greatly from Luppino’s experience.

“He’s spoken very highly of within the arts and cultural community in the province,” he said. “He’s known across the country, he sits on various boards and organizations. He’s done a wonderful job of bringing the Edmonton Art Gallery into the current day, with that magnificent building in Edmonton.”

Squires said it’s a good time for Luppino to take over the reins at the centre.

“We know Tony will be taking the Leighton Centre to the next stage,” he said.

Squires said they have identified a need for new facilities at the centre.

They can’t make any changes to the house because it was named a historic resource last year, but new facilities, such as bathrooms are needed on the grounds.

The centre occupies the former family home of A.C. and Barbara Leighton.

It was established in 1970 by Barbara Leighton to foster an appreciation of the visual arts among the general public.

The centre sees more than 25,000 visitors annually, including about 12,000 school children from Calgary and area.

The former executive director Paula Swann is retiring at the end of the month.

Swann has been with the centre for close to 20 years. Over this period, Squires said she has lead the successful growth and development of the centre and its programs, such as the school programs.

“The Leighton Centre is what it is today with her leadership,” he said.

The powerful individuals who engage in the traditional Scottish athletic pursuits, labeled the heavy events, are something to watch. When one witnesses one of these competitors balance a long tapered pole, known as the caber, against his body, run forward and heave it across the field they are most certainly impressed. What some don’t know is the caber toss, stone put, Scottish hammer throw and the other heavy events are just one segment of a Highland games.

John Barlow, chair of the inaugural Foothills Highland Games, coming to Okotoks on Saturday, Aug. 28, said he is hoping to see many attendees at all facets of the event.

The Highland Games are broken into five different areas including the Highland dance competitions, piping and drumming competitions, the heavy games, Scottish themed vendors and live entertainment.

The Foothills Composite High School is hosting the games, which seems appropriate, considering the significant number of local teenagers participating this year. Take for example, 14-year-old Highland dancer Lineah Miller. Of Irish not Scottish descent, the High River resident took up the pursuit about eight years ago.

“I first saw it (Highland dancing) at Spruce Meadows and I told my mom I wanted to do it,” Miller recalled. “It turns out there was a school for it in High River that was run by Jackie Rowe and I started dancing there.”

Now a Premier Highland dancer, signifying the highest level of competition, Miller has represented Alberta at the Canadian Championship Series the past two years and she placed fifth in Canada this year.

Miller will be in the customary Scottish dress on Saturday jumping and high stepping her way through intricate traditional dances like the Blue Bonnet and the Scotch Measure.

Other young people to look for include the Okotoks brother and sister duo of Duncan and Marina McEwen. Duncan, age 16, is an accomplished bagpiper while Marina, 15, is a talented tenor drummer. Highland tenor drumming is a demanding discipline requiring great creativity. The performers not only write their own drum scores, they choreograph all the intricate drumstick swings and flourishes. It’s this elaborate twirling of the sticks that makes tenor drumming as captivating to watch as it is to listen to.

Foothills Highland Games participants Duncan and Marina McEwen prepare to compete Saturday in the games held at the Foothills Composite High School

Marina has quite the fan club as her friends like watching her practice and compete.

“They actually think it’s pretty cool,” she said. “I have some of them volunteering for the games.”

Also at the Foothills Highland Games Marina will have her usual accompanist, her pipe playing brother, Duncan. Having a sibling as a playing partner has definite competitive advantages.

“We know lots of the same songs,” she said. “I write my music to the tunes he knows how to play and it’s better that we can practice at home together.”

Duncan will have a busy day of bagpipe competition at the Highland Games on Saturday.  He’ll play with his sister, appear in solo competition and perform as a member of the Ogden Legion Pipe band. Playing the iconic Scottish instrument this much in one day can really take a toll on the mouth.

“Air starts leaking out and the pipe starts making fart-like noises,” said Duncan with a laugh.

The Foothills Highland Games, rebranded from the previously known High River Highland Games, makes its debut in Okotoks this year.

Barlow said he could not be more pleased with the support the Games have received in Okotoks.

“The response from Okotoks and the foothills area has been overwhelming, it really has been amazing how much support we have had,” Barlow said. “We have a fantastic venue at the Foothills Composite High School, the sponsorship has been wonderful and the volunteer numbers are right where we want them to be.”

Besides all the Scottish music, dancing and athletics Barlow said he is looking to see strong turnouts for the Games’ many vendors.

“The vendors’ area is almost like a little farmers’ market.  We’ll have local vendors as well as Scottish clans and The Scottish Shoppe,” he said.

The Games also look to be one heck of a party as there will be live entertainment throughout the day.

“We have got the Original Joe’s Beer Garden, and the Ceilidh (a traditional Scottish celebration pronounced kaylee),” he said. “We’ll have bands performing in the beer garden all day and at the Ceilidh at night. We’ll have scotch tasting by The Wine Station and an all ages Celtic show at night.”

Gates open for the Foothills Highland Games at the Foothills Composite High School at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available at the gate. For tickets to the Ceilidh call (403) 837-0543.

Highland Games Caption: Drummers from the Alcal pipe band perform at the High River Highland Games. More than 10 pipe bands will be competing at the inaugural Foothills Highland Games on Saturday at Foothills Composite High School.

This weekend’s Foothills Highland Games will give people a chance to see why the Scots proclaim a wee tipple of scotch is one of the finest drinks known to man.

A scotch tasting event will be held in conjunction with the ceilidh following the day’s events on Saturday at Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks.

The Wine Station owner Frank Kenndy shows off a selection of scotch from the Okotoks store.

The event, organized by The Wine Station owner Frank Kennedy, will take a different approach to most scotch tastings. People will be given samples of a traditional, single malt scotch, a Canadian whisky, an Irish whisky and a bourbon to compare each style of whisky.

“There’s different nuances, they’re all different,” he said. “Scotch is a little more delicate. Each one has a very unique style.”

Only whisky made in Scotland can have the honour of the scotch title.

He said scotch is similar to wine in that each one is produced differently, leading to distinct flavours.

“Scotch is, just like wine, so drastically different between every product and producer,” he said. “People will try so many different kinds to find that one that’s their favourite.”

Like wine, there are different types of Scotch, like a single malt or a blend. There are different producers, different ages and something for every budget.
A blended scotch, such as a Johnnie Walker or Chivas Regal, is blends of a variety of whiskies.

Single malt is typically produced from a single vat.

“They’re not taking any other product and adding it into it,” he said. “They’re using the finest grains in the product. It’s more of a pure product.”

He said many scotch drinkers are loyal to a particular name, while others are open to exploring different flavours.

“You have the people who are out for an evening and you want something nice and peaty before dinner or you’re out for an evening and you want something that has a burgundy finish to it so it’s a little bit sweeter,” he said.

For those who like a peaty, smoky flavour he recommends Ardbeg. Whereas a dram of Edradour, with its milder, sweeter tones would be good for those who are venturing into the world of scotch for the first time.

In some cases, the taste of a different vintage of one particular brand can be quite distinctive.

How a particular scotch is aged can affect its flavour. He said many producers use a cask once used for bourbon, sherry or port.

“The port cask ones add a sweet taste to it,” he said.

Scotch doesn’t need to be expensive to be good either, he said. For example, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label can cost around $200, compared to a $70 bottle of Ardbeg. For Kennedy, he’d take the latter of the two.

“I would rather have the Ardbeg because it’s more the style that I would enjoy,” he said.

Pairing is as important for Scotch as it is for wine.

He said flavourful foods such as Angus beef, bison or barbecued meats are a good choice to go with scotch.

For many, the best way to accompany a good scotch is with a fine cigar.

“The old-school guy will drink a Lagavulin with a cigar, the Lagavulin is very peaty and will hold up to the cigar,” he said. “If you had something light, you wouldn’t be able to taste the scotch.”

A limited number of tickets are available for the tasting at $8 each.

Dancers from Eden Valley will perform at the Bar U Ranch for First Nations Day Aug. 29.

Campfires are the perfect setting to tell stories, whether it be chilling ghost stories or tales of historic legends.

On Aug. 29 true tales of Aboriginal ancestors and their contributions to Alberta’s ranching history will be told ‘round the ole, smoky fire pit at the Bar U Ranch south of Longview.

Since the word ranching often conjures up commercial images of cowboys, horses and cattle rustling, the true nature of what life was actually like during the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries can be forgotten. In order to ensure the history of life in the west stays alive Aboriginal people will have the opportunity to share their tales next weekend during Bar U Ranch’s First Nations Day.

The national historic site’s interpretive coordinator Jean Gallup said there will be members of the Eden Valley reserve as well as the Stoney Nakoda Nation of Morley present to speak about their people’s history and the role they played in developing the ranching industry in the foothills.

“The purpose is to highlight the life of the First Nations in western Canada,” said Gallup. “They will explain what the lives of their ancestors were like and their impact on the ranching business.”

Gallup explained the First Nations people often worked for the ranchers during the Second World War, constructing fences, collecting hay and helping out with other labour on the ranch land while the ranchers themselves fought overseas.

In addition to their work on the ranch, the Natives also produced artwork that is still popular today including clothing embellished with wonderful beadwork, oil paintings and handcrafted jewelry.

This is the fourth year Bar U Ranch is honouring Native culture and its role in the Canadian ranching industry. Gallup explained the purpose of the event is to have people hear the history first hand from the First Nations people in order to better understand their significance in cowboy culture, the non-traditional roles they played on the ranch, and also give people the chance to learn about First Nations culture.

“A better understanding of First Nations and their way of life is what we hope people come away with,” said Gallup. “They (First Nations) really developed special relations with generations of families and today the same tribes visit the same families and ranches. So there’s a personal relationship that’s been formed over time that people don’t really know about.”

In addition to the stories and information First Nations will share, the day will consist of traditional native dances, drummers and artists speaking about traditional art as well as a ceremonial erecting of a tepee.

Bar U Ranch administrative assistant Deb Pigeon said the raising of the tepee is a symbolic gesture to commemorate the First Nations’ way of life and efforts during the early days of cattle ranching and farming. She explained the construction of a tepee is a skillful task First Nations people learn early on and perfect throughout their lives, with each tribe having their own signature construction style and design.

The First Nations Day will take place Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bar U Ranch. For more information visit www.friendsofthebaru.com

The Foothills Highland Games, formerly known as the High River Highland Games, brings traditional games, music, dances and other entertainment to the community including Calgary’s very own Burns Club Singers, Celtic-rock band Fraid Knot and fiddlers group Lark Hill.

Tom Miller, front row and second from the left, of the Calgary Burns Club Singers posing for the cover of their debut album, Twas the Scots.

One of the original members of the Calgary Burns Club Singers, Tom Miller, said the group is looking forward to making its first appearance at the Foothills Highland Games and are still coming off of their high of performing at last year’s Edinburgh Tattoo Festival.

“It was an honour to get invited,” said Miller. “We were on cloud nine to perform at home. When we were marching onto the esplanade singing Robert Burns songs, there wasn’t a seat available. When the band played going home and we were singing it would’ve brought tears to a glass eye.”

The Edinburgh Tattoo Festival is an annual three-week celebration of the United Kingdom Celtic culture including singing, dancing, piper bands, military bands and other traditional entertainment.

The Burns singing group consists of about 25 members, most of whom are from Scotland and have chosen to pay tribute to their country’s iconic poet, Robert Burns.

Miller explained Burns roamed the rural roads of Scotland during the late 18^th century and composed over 300 songs and poems during his 37 years, some of which are still known today.

“People hear Robert Burns’ work everyday and you don’t know it,” said Miller. “Auld Lang Syne and My Love is Like a Red Red Rose are Burns’ songs.”

Miller said he hopes to bring the authenticity and traditions of overseas to Okotoks and educate the people about a significant part of Scottish history.

“We’re definitely looking forward to meeting all of the people and to telling them about Robert Burns,” said the Scottish crooner. “We want to tell them what the Highland Games are all about and give them a wee bit of history from Scotland.”

The Glasgow native said Burns’ material is still taught today in schools throughout the United Kingdom, which is how he first became familiar with the legendary poet. Miller said it was only a matter of time until he ran into someone who was part of a Robert Burns group looking for new members or to start another group in a different area.

Miller explained with so many people from Scotland immigrating to Canada, Robert Burns groups are everywhere. Miller first joined the group when Calgary’s Burns Club Singers was formed in 1996 and hasn’t looked back since. He said he not only likes performing the material of his favourite poet but also enjoys encouraging Scottish culture throughout the land he now calls home.

“We encourage the Scottish dance groups, the piping, everything,” he said. “I think Scotland has contributed a lot to Canada and the world. We seem to fit in, but Canada is home. I don’t know a man from Scotland who isn’t crazy about Canada. We may be born there (Scotland) but Canada is home.”

The group’s fondness of Burns stems from what his work and what represented to the people. To Miller, he was “a man of the people” who wrote about common everyday things.

The group has also released three CDs over the years, including their most recent Bring on the Whiskey.

Miller immigrated to Toronto in 1964 from Scotland to start his own business. He brought his wife over a year later after he had put away enough money and the couple moved to Calgary 12 years later where they have resided since.

This will be the group’s first appearance at the Foothills Highland Games and they will be sharing the stage with other performers, Celtic band Fraid Knot and Lark Hill.

Fraid Knot guitarist Glenn Webster said the band usually plays at the Camrose Highland Games and has played at the High River Highland Games for the past three years.

Webster described the band as a Celtic-rock east coast group and said the diverse crowd is what keeps the group coming back year after year.

“It’s a great show because the people are more interesting than the bar scene and you get all ages coming out,” he said.

The six-man group consists of lead vocalist Byron Eddy from Newfoundland, lead guitarist Glenn Webster from Germany, accordionist Danny O’Malley, bassist Ed Williamson from Scotland and percussionist Patrick Connor from Calgary.

The Celtic rockers formed about 10-years-ago when Webster pitched the idea of a group to some of students. Since then, they have made their way through the Alberta area and have released their debut album, Hoist the Sails.

Webster said the group is currently in the studio working on their follow up album and planning to hit up some of Europe’s folk festivals.

Calgary fiddle group Lark Hill will also be performing at this year’s Foothills Highland Games.

The Calgary Burns Club Singers will be performing during the opening ceremonies at 12:45 p.m., Lark Hill will be performing in the beer garden at about 2 p.m. and Fraid Knot will be performing at the Ceilidh from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets for the Ceilidh are now on sale and tickets are limited. For tickets call 403-837-0543.

There will also be a Foothills Highland Games after-party at Original Joe’s from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. featuring Okotoks celtic band Claymore.

The Foothills Highland Games will be held on Aug. 28 at Foothills Composite High School football field in Okotoks from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the Ceilidh beginning at 6 p.m.

For more information visit www.foothillshighlandgames.ca

Elaine Taylor Thomas self-published the book “Promises to Keep: Cecilia Taylor’s Story” is the story of her grandparents leaving England behind and beginning a new life in the rugged rangeland of Southern Alberta. The family settled in the Okotoks area and raised their family, a family which included the author’s mother, Cecilia Taylor.

Pioneers A. J. Fendall and his daughter Cecilia pose with the horses in the foothills. Cecilia's daughter Elaine Taylor Thomas has included this photo and many more in a book published this spring that chronicles the family's adventures as newcomers to Alberta.

The family’s history is told through family stories, treasured photos and postcards, posters and memorabilia that were stowed away in steamer trunks and shoeboxes.

That is the appeal of learning about someone else’s family, Taylor Thomas said. So many people in the area have parents and grandparents who had the same kind of struggles and joys breaking ground and getting established in the West.

From her home in LaGrange, Texas, Taylor Thomas remembers the Priddis-Millarville Fair fondly to this day. So much so, she wanted to do something special for the fair because it was an integral part of her life growing up in the foothills. The author donated 100 copies of the book to the fair to sell for $25 each and the proceeds would benefit the fair.

“When I was growing up the fair was always a big part of my summer,” said Taylor Thomas. “I looked forward to it, prepared for it and had lots and lots of fun and I wanted to give back to the community to say thank you. I hope it continues for a long, long time so other kids can have as much fun as I did.”

Taylor Thomas spent years preparing the book and finished it in June, in time for a family reunion celebrating her grandparents’ centennial anniversary settling in the foothills.

“Life was very, very difficult here compared to what it had been in England,” Taylor Thomas said. “They had so much hardship. My grandmother never saw a member of her family again. She never heard their voices again. When she left England, that was it.”

In her book Taylor Thomas wanted to document how brave the pioneer women were and how hard they worked. Her grandmother, for example, hadn’t even boiled water before she arrived in Canada, Taylor Thomas said. But in her new life she was baking bread every day, washing clothes by hand, fetching water, keeping the stove stoked to heat the house, watching after the children and performing other farm duties.

“They just had to do everything,” Taylor Thomas said.

Another central aspect to life in the early 1900s was the interdependence of people in the community.

“I wanted to show how neighbours and friends had always been important and they simply would not have survived if they had not had such good neighbours and friends,” she said. “I think that these days we’re sometimes so busy, we don’t realize the importance of neighbours and friends.”

This year’s fair is a testament to the strength of Priddis, Millarville and surrounding communities, since the reason the fair is taking place this year is because of the support from residents who rallied to save the fair.

Initially, the fair was cancelled, before an outcry from the community saved the event and now there are more entries than last year.

Fair committee volunteer Sandra Bull said she is grateful for Taylor Thomas’ donation of 100 books to sell as a fundraiser.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful gift to help sustain the fair,” Bull said.

Copies of the book “Promises to Keep” will be for sale at the Priddis-Millarville Fair at the information table for $25 and 100 per cent of the sale supports the fair.

The fair committee will also be offering a historical package Elaine Taylor Thomas has donated as a fundraiser. The package contains a signed copy of the book “Promises to Keep”, two more books Taylor Thomas has written and an invitation to speak to the author for an hour about one’s family history and she will prepare the interview into a documented account, written in her own creative style.

The package will be auctioned at the same time as the pies and quilts.

Millarville area resident Payton Kaenel holds a projects she is entering into competitions at the Priddis-Millarville Fair this Saturday.

To urban ears, admiring sheaves of hay may sound like the kind of thing that just appeals to old-timers, but the Priddis-Millarville Fair is proof activities with roots in Alberta’s frontier days are still popular today with people of all ages.

This Saturday at the Priddis-Millarville Fair three children are teaming up to compete against their mother and their grandfather in competitions for the best sheaves of wheat, barley, alfalfa and several other types of grains and grasses.

It’ll be steep competition, Jim McKevitt said, because last year his grandchildren, ages eight, 11 and 12, captured more first place ribbons than he did and he has been competing at the fair since 1967.

There is plenty for everyone at the 103^rd annual fair whether one fancies homemade pie, quilts, fancy poultry, sheep and other things found on farms and ranches.

The handmade crafts, locally grown produce and home-raised animals are so integral to life in the foothills residents rallied to ensure the fair would take place again this year.

Initially, the fair was cancelled due to fears from the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society it was no longer self-sustainable in its current format.

However, an outcry of support from the community saved the fair and participants could not be more pleased.

Jim and Dot McKevitt have been participating in the fair in one form or another since 1967. Forty-three years later they are still enthusiastic about it and pleased their grandchildren are excited about it, too.

“It’s great, you know,” said Dot. “You’ve got the kids, their mother and you watch them trying to beat grandpa. I mean, he’s taught them everything they know.”

Not only are Jim’s children participating, his daughter Marie Wiebe is the grains and grasses director for the fair and her son, Nick, 13, is the junior director.

This year Jim will be hand-cutting eight different types of grains and grasses, hand-tying them into sheaves and entering them into the grains and grasses competitions. The family grows alfalfa, barley, brome, oats, sainfoin, sweet clover, Timothy grass and wheat.

In the 1970s when Jim started entering the competition he was up against only a handful of other participants, but there has been a surge in interest in recent years. In the past few years his sheaves of grain have been up against roughly 20 other competitors, including three grandchildren and his daughter.

The judges have a tough job distinguishing a sheaf that is better than all the others, Jim said.

“At times I’d say the judge has quite a job on his hands,” Jim said. “To say which is the best, with alfalfa, for example, it’ll be the maturity of the plant and the flowering state. You can get a nice flower on it, but that doesn’t say it’s good alfalfa.

“A lot of it, too, is how the sheaves are made – if they’re nice and neat, appearance-wise.”

The family is going to test the judge’s mettle in many entry classes because Jim, Dot, Dot’s sister, and the Wiebe quartet are submitting 105 entries combined.

That’s just one family.

There are a number of families participating in the fair this year including Payton and Wyatt Kaenel who are not phased by the tough competition.

They’re used to it, and anyway, participating in the fair isn’t all about ribbons and cash prizes.

“It’s fun,” 10-year-old Payton said. “And it’s fun to win sometimes, too.”

The Kaenels have been submitting entries into the fair for 10 years.

This year their parents, Cindy and Jeff, have too much support work to do behind the scenes to enter any competitions themselves this year.

Regardless, their children are picking up the slack. Payton has prepared five creations for entry into the drawing, story, fridge magnet and “any other article” divisions of junior art and handicraft.

Her 12-year-old brother Wyatt, 12 is submitting work in drawing, Lego, models and “any other article”.

He and Payton did not have to get their hands dirty to compete at the fair, their submissions grew from the fertility of their own imaginations.

For example, Payton is submitting a log cabin she made with popsicle sticks that has many comforts of home such as a tiny little rug, stove, dining table with plates and silverware.

Wyatt is submitting a replica of a military truck made with Lego.

“I’m putting in a big truck that I made from my head,” said Wyatt. “It has a two-speed, working transmission with eight wheels. It has a crane on the back. The name of it is a M.A.N. 8 by 8. That’s a German company and they manufacture heavy duty trucks for the military.”

Wyatt surveyed the loose pieces of Lego he had at his house and calculated how to put them together to build his truck. He is also entering a 1930s Ford tri-motor airplane built from grey Star Wars Lego pieces.

The fun stems from not only the thrill of possibly winning, but also creating something to enter and seeing all the other creations by the other competitors.

“I’m going to keep entering forever and ever,” Wyatt said.

The 103rd Annual Priddis- Millarville Fair takes place on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Millarville Racetrack. Admission is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Longview band Longhaul from left,Eva Levesque,who performs rhythm guitar and lead vocals and is also the event organizer,lead vocalist and bass player Cody Follis,drummer Steve Tutt,lead guitarist and vocalist Wade Tutt,and accordion player Lloyd Humphrey. This year's event will run from Aug. 21-22 at Centennial Park in Longview.

Co-organizer of the festival and local musician Eva Levesque said this year’s event will be featuring a couple of new artists who will be showing their work for the first time.

“This year we are having about two or three young local artists who have never shown their work before,” said Levesque. “We’re really looking forward to seeing how their talent progresses.”

One of the festival’s first timers is Longview’s own Karissa Richards who is also an art student working towards her bachelor of fine arts degree at the University of Lethbridge.

“It’s a beginning step towards what I want to do and love to do,” said Richards. “I went out and took a shot at something and no matter how it goes I can say that I did that.”

Richards said she jumped at the opportunity to have her first showing in her hometown because she will be able to receive feedback from fellow artists and people she knows, and learn in a familiar environment that isn’t intimidating.

She will be showing a variety of work including oil and acrylic paintings of mostly landscapes and nature themed images.

“It’s a little of everything because I’m a student so I’m not specialized in a particular area,” she said. “It’s not limited to any one subject or medium.”

Richards said she hasn’t participated in the past festivals because she didn’t feel developed enough in her work but valued seeing what work was displayed and by whom so she could have an idea of what to expect when she felt ready to take part.

“I’m there to talk to the people and to learn and look at the type of art shown in small communities,” said Richards. “If I come away learning a bit more, that’s what I’m here for.”

The festival will also be showing the work of about 15 to 20 artists from the Foothills area including the popular pencil sketches of Bernie Brown.

“We’re focusing on a lot of western art,” said Levesque. “There will be artwork of horses, landscape artists, portraits and wildlife.”

In addition to the artistry, the festival will have about 14 bands performing throughout the two-day event as well as a farmer’s market.

The musical performances will range from good, old-fashioned country and western music to rock and bluegrass styles. The vendors of the farmer’s market will be showcasing everything from jewelry to skin care products to confectionary treats.

Other festivities will include a tarot card reading booth and a children’s tent where youngsters can try their hand at arts and crafts. Adults will be able to enjoy their own kind of fun with the beer garden.

Levesque explained the festival is also a fundraiser for local community programs and this year proceeds will go towards upgrading the village’s recreational facilities. This is the third year for the festival and for the past two years the event has raised about $3,000 each year. Levesque said this time she is hoping to top that amount but doesn’t have a specific goal in mind.

The Longview Music and Arts Festival will take place August 21-22 at Centennial Park in Longview. Festivities run from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days. Admission is by donation. For more information visit www.longviewstampede.com/musicartsfestival.htm