Two Hills & District Agricultural Society Hosts Country Fair

Two Hills & District Agricultural Society Hosts Country Fair

Thistle Hill Petting Zoo.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The Two Hills & District Agricultural Society hosted its Country Fair on Aug. 21 with a pancake breakfast, parade, bench show, bean bag tournament and children’s activities.

The fun-filled event was well received and the weather was picture perfect to make it a wonderful experience all the way around.

The Ag. Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and is planning a Harvest Supper in November to cap off the milestone year.

Parade entry.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo

Ag. Society President Lorna Tupechka said that, “Over the years, we have supported numerous local clubs and organizations through donations, funding of projects, fundraising and volunteering at events. In Geleta Park, we were directly involved with funding and with the building of ball diamonds, soccer field, and the campground with shower house.”

In particular, “During the last 20 years, we have held two-day Rodeos, Demolition Derbies, Horses Shows, Cowboy Challenges, Bull-a-Rama’s, Golf Tournaments, and Slo-Pitch Tournaments. In 2014 we began the Annual Agri-Day Tradeshow held in April. Then during the Covid years, we were able to raise grant funds to help with the major renovations to the Arena along with the Grow Arena Group. We are currently fundraising for a new Zamboni for the ice arena that will add another 40 years of usage in the arena,” added Tupechka.

Local people who became early members and helped to start the Ag Society included: Nick Ewanishan, Andy Gorgichuk, Albert and Lorraine Tupechka, Allen and Maryann Zaparniuk, Vern and June Chisan, Eli and Jean Antoniuk, Marshall Draganiuk, George Kachmar, Paul Dadensky, Victor and Elizabeth

Chrapko, Bill & Joan Ullery, Nick Babiuk, Mike Pawliuk, Emil Golinowski, Jack Domet, Leo Gaetz, Dennis Tippe. Robinson said those early members served on the Executive during the first 10 years of the Ag. Society.”

Former District Agriculturist Wayne Jackson wrote a brief history of the Ag. Society when it reached its 30th anniversary and said at that time, “The interest in forming an agricultural society began when the provincial government announced a program whereby communities could get funds to build or upgrade community facilities provided those facilities were used at least partially to enhance agriculture in and around the community.

Bench show exhibit.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

The only way of accessing these funds was through an agricultural society. Several people in Two Hills wanted to try and acquire funds for projects so a meeting was called of interested people to investigate the possibility of forming an agricultural society.”

Jackson went on to say there was a good turnout for the meeting and they decided to pursue the idea and then formed the Ag. Society. One of the first projects was to put artificial ice in the arena. “When the arena project was completed a few people predicted the agricultural society would fold. However, there were enough people who believed in the concept of an agricultural society and they saw what it could do to enhance the community that they were determined to see it continue.”

Top Row L-R: Sylvie Hnatiuk, Trevor Hnatiuk, Murray Tupechka and Aaron Krahn. Middle row L-R: Donna Soprovich, Susan Tkachuk, Chris Dumbleton , Bob Ross, Sheena Farkas and Cindy Dumbleton. Front Row L-R: Ed Horbasenko, Gerry Horbasenko, Judy Robinson, Lorraine Tupechka, Lorna Tupechka, Cleta Dieken, Melanie Zayak and Cindy Krahn. Missing Willie Babiuk.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

The Ag. Society went on to organize a bench show that was successful. “After a few years of holding a bench show it was decided to include a horse show…From the small beginning, the shows continued to improve until I left the community. I felt they brought a significant interest to the community,” added Jackson.