Two days of chuckwagon and chariot racing, Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5, complimented by a Kids Party, musicians and a cowboy poet, pancake breakfast – it’s the Elkhorn Western Weekend the town is known for and the community will once again go all-out to make guests feel welcome.
The horse races are the feature events, and this year again there are mini chucks and chariots, with the Hawreluik Racing Company that runs hitches at places like the Calgary Stampede.
New this year – The Kid’s Party is included in the weekend, with Brandon Bouncy Castles and fun slides. A Moana movie character will be live at the weekend, entertaining the kids.
And for ball fans, there’s Slow Pitch.
Poets and songsters
Cowboy Poet Lawrence Ruddick is coming.
St. Lazare born and raised Julianna Moore has become a singer-songwriter of recent GX94 Star Search fame.
The Brandon University music student is also a part-time cake decorator at a Brandon Co-op food store.
She’s been performing lately in Brandon at Lady of the Lake and the Prairie Firehouse. She’s excited to perform at Elkhorn, bringing some originals and favourite covers including Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”, “Strawberry Wine” by Deanna Carter, and some Don Williams songs.
“That’s what I grew up with – with Mom and Dad – the Patsy Cline, Don Williams music.” But you’ll hear some Adele as well. “I’m all over the place with my music,” admits Moore.
Prairie Joe is entertaining. The increasingly popular Christian Country group from Oak Lake, will be on stage in the beer garden on Sunday.
Community-wide event
Community organizations are all involved to make the weekend fly. President of the Elkhorn Elks and a town representative (Elkhorn LUD), Kevin Tutthill explains this is a community building event.
“That was the idea, ever since we started this we wanted as much funds as possible to come back into town as we can.”
Elkhorn Agricultural Society has worked hard this year to provide safety panels for the race track.
“The community has really gotten behind it with sponsorships. Every panel has got a name on it,” says Tutthill. “I think they’ve done really well on their fundraising.”
The Grad Class of 2019 will be running the canteen.
The Elkhorn figure skating organization is providing grounds clean-up after the two days. (Elkhorn Figure Skating Club, I think?)
Elkhorn Golf Club works the gate for both days, and the Elkhorn fire station (WDFD) will cook pancakes for breakfast both mornings.
Friday night there’s a free movie in the park, courtesy of the Elkhorn Elks and Bosshill Creek Wildlife Association.
Elkhorn can accommodate guests with a small hotel and a B&B, plus over a dozen camping sites right at the fair grounds - drive-through lots and full-service for campers with 30-amp power.
If it’s too hot for the kids, there’s always the brand new spray park in downtown Elkhorn. Making a weekend stop in town? Check out the renowned Auto Museum.
There is even a multi-family garage sale in town Saturday, put on by the Elkhorn Daycare Initiative.
