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Golden anniversary of Those Were the Days this weekend

This weekend marks 50 years for a hallmark event of the summer at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford. The event is Those Were the Days, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18, at the museum between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Those Were the Days_0
The Parade of Power will go Saturday and Sunday a 4:30 p.m.

This weekend marks 50 years for a hallmark event of the summer at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford.

The event is Those Were the Days, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18, at the museum between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. The museum is located at the junction of Highways 16 and 40.

“Super excited about that,” said Cheryl Stewart-Rahm, event and programs coordinator at the WDM, about the anniversary. 1969 was the first year for the show.

Stewart-Rahm said there will be a few things to mark the anniversary. They will be offering their 50th Anniversary cake on both days free of charge at 4 p.m. each day. They will also be showing a 50th anniversary Powerpoint presentation looping throughout the weekend. 

While quantities last, visitors this weekend will receive a free gift to celebrate the 50 years of Those Were the Days. 

Each day will feature the Parade of Power where farm machines and equipment from yesteryear will be fired up and parade down the Heritage Village main street. Those happen at 4:30 p.m. each day.

Visitors can also enjoy rides on vintage vehicles and fire trucks as well as wagon rides. A vintage car show will be part of the festivities.

There will be threshing demonstrations, starting with hand-tool threshing at 1:30 and threshing in the field at 3 p.m. at the museum, and plenty of entertainment. A vintage fashion show will also take place.

On both days, “Dr. Von Houligan’s Carnival of Calamities” will be showing at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the circus tent on the grounds.  

The Pioneer Competitions offer opportunities for participants to engage in some of the activities of the pioneer era. Kids will be able to enjoy sack and scavenger games as well as three-legged races, and there will also be a petting zoo.

A volunteer association garage sale will be going as well. There are also plenty of concessions available for food and drinks.

“This is our signature event at the WDM here in North Battleford,” Stewart-Rahm said.

“We’re pretty proud of that. You know, our communities are great supporters of this event, that’s a proven fact. That’s why we can continue to offer this event each year.”