Frontier Days a ton of fun
Frontier Days 2013 attendance figures are anticipated to be above the 27,000 mark after a successful celebration of the 75th anniversary edition of Swift Current’s regional fair.
“Fantastic” was the single word used by Swift Current Ag and Ex Executive Director Tracey Stevenson to sum up their 2013 celebration. “It exceeded much more than I thought it was going to be.”
“I would say we’re close to the 27,000 mark. Florida Georgia Line was a sell out. Paul Brandt was close to a sell out. It was great. The weather was good.”
Attendance numbers were also boosted by a large number of 4-H participants at Frontier Days during the 100th anniversary celebration of 4-H in Canada. The Rockglen 4-H Club was at Frontier Days for the first time, plus there was a special recognition of third and fourth generation 4-H families who have participated over the 75 years of Frontier Days.
“4-H participant numbers were up too, and the number of steers that were sold went up from 108 to 123,” Stevenson noted. “Their sale was well attended, so everything just blew my expectations.”
Stevenson extended a special appreciation to Robertson Implements for their efforts during Frontier Days. The June 29 concert featuring Paul Brandt and opening act High Valley was sponsored by Robertson Implements, with all gate admission from the concert shared between the Swift Current Community Youth Initiative, Swift Current Ag & Ex Livestock barn upgrades, Rock Solid Refuge and Joe’s Place Youth Centre in Moose Jaw. They also provide numerous pieces of equipment during the weekend to help out the Fair.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without Robertson Implements. They provide all our ATVs our staff ride in, plus they provide tents, tractors, trailers, whatever we need.”
She was also impressed by efforts of everybody before and after Frontier Days in making the weekend a success.
“I came out to the grounds during the evening on Canada Day and you’d hardly know there was a Fair here. Our grounds people, the city guys plus the volunteers that come out and were cleaning it up, because when I came out here the morning after it looked like a bomb went off. They did an awesome job on the clean up. I’d just like to thank all of the volunteers for stepping up to the plate with all of the big crowds we had coming in here.”
Stevenson reflected that people from the original Frontier Days in 1938 could not imagine what the fair has grown into.
“Number wise it would be very similar, but probably the new way of doing things is completely different with a big midway. We have so many components to the Fair that a lot of people don’t even see half of them because we have trade shows, 4-H shows, light horse shows, heavy horse shows, rodeo. So comparing it to 1938 there were the same amount of people, but there’s a bigger amount of things to do.” The West Coast Amusements midway at Frontier Days provided a series of topsy turvy rides for those more adventurous. Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, played to a packed stadium on Thursday night to kick off the 75th Anniversary edition of Frontier Days in Swift Current. Chuck Audette participated in the ceremonial branding of the official Frontier Days Brand during last Thursday’s kickoff pancake breakfast, helping salute the centennial of WW Smith and Travel.