MANOR - For the past 40-plus years, Manor has put on a rodeo, and during the last 10 years it held a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event as well.
This has always brought a considerable number of spectators to the small town.
In the past, the bull chutes were loaned to the rodeo grounds, and they knew that the chutes were for sale by the owners. Last fall the chutes were sold and they were loaded onto semis and taken away, bringing an end to the PBR in Manor.
Rylan Weir, chairman of the Manor Fun Daze committee, began to brainstorm ideas to take the place of the PBR. He produced an idea and called Joe Hoffort from Odessa, who is part of the Modified Truck and Tractor Pull Association. They had a lengthy talk and discussed dates for availability.
A quick committee meeting was called, and it was decided to hold a Modified Truck and Tractor Pull in Manor, called Manor Motor Madness.
Needing more volunteers to make this work, the committee approached the younger generation and told them their plans. Several jumped on board for this new and exciting event.
Derek Menzies from Oxbow pulls with his modified diesel truck and he was approached by the committee. He has been a major source of help.
“Hoffort and Menzies have been so helpful,” said Weir. “They are full of information and were happy to answer our many questions.”
Another meeting was held with organizations to discuss how they wanted to run the event, as they would need a lot of volunteers.
The Manor Recreation Board will run the gates, while the Over 60 Club is in charge of the 50/50 draw, the breakfast and the parade. The school and library will take care of the concession booths, while the Carlyle and Manor Fire Departments will tend to of running the bars at the cabaret.
Each group will find their own volunteers to help and when the event is over, all the money will go into one pot. The bills will be paid, and the net income will be distributed to the groups that helped.
Weir said they need to look after their town and the organizations in it, as there is always something that is needed.
The Carlyle Fire Department is included as they are from the same RM and they are looking into buying a new fire truck.
On Aug. 9 and 10, Manor Fun Daze will be held, and there will be events for everyone.
Aug. 9 begins with the Modified Truck and Tractor Pull. These vehicles bring a lot of power and noise.
Also, on both evenings, a cabaret will be held with music by D.J. Trevor Gould. He will have music playing throughout the day in the beer garden.
Aug. 10 will start with a pancake breakfast, followed by the parade. When the parade is over, all of the classic cars and tractors will be part of a show.
A new event has ATVs, quads and side by sides seeing who has the most power through a pull of their own.
Before and after the big pull, spectators can go to the pits and talk with the drivers, and they can also take a ride in the monster truck Rabbit, who will be there entertaining the crowd.
The sponsor-based event has brought in several new sponsors who are excited.
Security will be on the fairgrounds throughout the day and evening to keep things running smoothly.
“It is going to be a great time,” said Weir. “We look forward to seeing everyone at the show.”