Heritage Park hosts 30th annual September Shindig

A rather brisk evening Sept. 15 didn’t deter attendance nor the dollars raised as nearly 400 guests gathered at Heritage Park to support the park’s 30th annual September Shindig. That the event raised more than $100,000 for the Heritage Park Foundation is manna from heaven for our beloved historical village as times are tough these days. Readers may recall the perfect storm has caused a dramatic downturn in the park’s revenues. Remedial work on the Glenmore Reservoir resulting in the cancellation of S.S. Moyie excursions this summer, the never-ending and maddening construction on 14th St. SW and the increase in minimum wage have made it challenging indeed to stay profitable.

Guests in attendance at the Shindig were mindful of this difficult situation, so it’s not surprising the vibe this night was one of community spirit and support. Highlights included: a rodeo on the park’s own rodeo grounds featuring mini chuckwagon racing, mutton busters, freestyle bull fighting, ladies barrel racing and bull riding; the always popular mock gunfight on Main Street complete with a bank robbery and a “hanging”; a wonderful meal prepared by executive chef Leighton Smyth and his talented team; terrific silent and live auctions including a dinner for 16 on the River Forth Dining rail car, a ghost tour of purported spirited exhibits and dinner and a progressive dinner for 16 where one can eat one’s way through history. Top dollars went to the polar bear safari in Churchill, Man. and a helicopter adventure to Purcell Mountain Lodge in B.C. Rounding out the evening were rides on the antique midway, games of chance and psychic readings.

Guests in attendance included: hostess with the mostess, Heritage Park president and CEO Alida Visbach and her husband Paul Corbett; Heritage Park Foundation chair Bennett Wong, vice-chair Lorne O’Reilly and Lina Basmahjian; Counc. Diane Colley-Urquhart; CTV’s Darrel Janz; invaluable sponsors Ecco Recycling & Energy Corporation’s Alec and Gail McDougall; Shane Homes’ Cal Wenzel; Bill Smith; PBA Land Developement’s Patricia Baland; Suncor Energy’s Dani DeBoice; RBC’s Jerilynn Daniels; Safeway Sobeys’ Ryan Barberio, Tuesday O’Krainetz and Laura Brown; Dawn and John MacInnes; invaluable sponsor Raymond James’ Dave Lougheed; Alberta Energy Regulator’s Mark Taylor and Skate Canada adult figure skating competitor Cathy Taylor; Krita Investment’s Ike Kolias; Bob and Carole Brawn with their grandson Marshall Whyte, son Dean Brawn and his wife Ellen; Heritage Park’s Barb Munro, Laurene Mitchell and Lisa Barrett; and others pictured.

HERITAGE PARK From left, Heritage Park president and CEO Alida Visbach, Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart and Ecco Recycling’s Gail McDougall bundled up for a brisk evening at Heritage Park’s 30th annual September Shindig, held Sept 15. More than $100,000 was raised for the Heritage Park Foundation.

TOM DODD From left, Pauline Simpson, Mark Taylor, Cathy Taylor and Ike Kolias.

TOM DODD From left, Marshall Whyte, his grandfather Bob Brawn, Bob’s wife Carole Brawn, their son Dean Brawn and his wife Ellen Brawn take in Heritage Park’s 30th annual September Shindig.

TOM DODD Advance Your Cause’s Samantha Morahan, left, and Heritage Park’s Lisa Barrett.

TOM DODD Swagelok’s Ian Bell with Barry Commercial’s Karen Barry.

TOM DODD Suncor’s Dani DeBoice and RBC’s Jerrilyn Daniels.

HERITAGE PARK From left Shane Homes’ Cal Wenzel, PBA Land & Development’s Patricia Baland and former candidate for mayor Bill Smith..

HERITAGE PARK Pictured, from left, at Heritage Park’s 30th annual September Shindig, held Sept 15, are Lina Basmahjian with Lorne O´Reilly, vice-chairman, Heritage Park Foundation and foundation chair Bennett Wong..

HERITAGE PARK From left, Sobeys’ Ryan Barberio, specialist, community investment, northern Alberta and B.C. with colleagues Tuesday O’Krainetz and Laura Brown. Sobeys was an invaluable sponsor of the event..