DENZIL — After a pandemic prescribed two-year hiatus, an annual small-town celebration in the village of Denzil took place on its traditional weekend of Father’s Day weekend, as it has for more than 50 years.
The event is organized by Greg Rissling and Noah Roellchen-Pfol along with community volunteers, numbering around two dozen. Chelsea Sadler is credited for being the main person who ensures things run smoothly.
Rissling, who helped organize the antique tractor pull was full of optimism before the event, enthusiasm during and pride and after.
Rissling said there were 43 entries with lots of spectators on hand. The crowd was vocal and the entrants were happy with the results. A celebratory supper followed with prizes distributed to winners.
The antique tractor pull is the biggest attraction of the weekend, with tractor owners putting their machine on the line to win prizes and the title for their equipment. Offered was a huge trophy in memory of Don Clark. Clark always brought 13 tractors, supporting all the places that hosted tractor pulls. Organizer Rissling said it was fitting to do something in memory of him.
The two-day celebration featured a variety of activities which were well attended, with more than 150 people in attendance on Saturday and over 100 attending Sunday’s events. Attendees were local, from surrounding communities and even out of province.
Laura Heilman took home Sunday’s 50/50 jackpot of $630 and Allan Buckley won the Saturday jackpot of $500. Pat, an ice cream maker, came all the way from Edmonton and her booth was a big hit as it also included cotton candy, popcorn, and free ice cream.
Hail on Saturday morning, halted activity only momentarily and the remainder of the weekend went off seamlessly.
The Denzil Antique Tractor Association greatly appreciate all the volunteers who put in long hours and hard work to make this weekend the success that it is.
The bones tournament was not able to go ahead, however the tractor pulls, kids’ pedal tractor races, the women’s lawn mower races, the kids’ carnival and bouncy castle, Sunday’s parade and the live band were all well received.
Rissling noted that making people feel welcome, encourages them to come back and that is one of the main goals of the annual event in Denzil. Small town hospitality, fun, food and fellowship combined for both organizers and participants leaving with smiles of a weekend well spent.
