Race Weekend in Vegreville

Chuckwagon and Chariot Races Return to Vegreville

Entertaining mini chuckwagon races Friday evening.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Chuckwagon and Chariot racing returned to the Vegreville Agricultural Society’s grandstand from June 2-4. It was the first show of the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association’s, (APCCA) racing season.

The weather cooperated beautifully as crowds enjoyed some intense racing action and watching local favourites perform on the track.

Chuckwagon action from the Dash to Summer.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Drivers and their teams racing down the home stretch.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Dwayne Dubuc.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Drivers head down the stretch in the Chariot Races.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

VAS Dash to Summer a Thrilling Experience

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

There was something fun for everyone at Vegreville Agricultural Society’s (VAS) fourth annual Dash to Summer event on June 2, 3 and 4.

At the front of the grounds, children were able to have their faces painted or participate in the Bouncin’ Around Canada-Ultimate Inflatable Carnival experience which had amazing obstacles, bouncy castles, and interactive inflatable.

The Grandstand show on June 2 featured Diamonds ‘N’ Dust Trick Riders.

Another classic attraction had the roaring sound of racers and their horses trying to run as fast as they could go on the race track at the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Races (APCCA) on June 2, 3, and 4. VAS Dash to Summer Committee headed by Shane Cartier organized this event.

Participants take part in the horse show.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo

The Horse Show rode in on June 3 and 4 which had over 70 entries of participants from five to 74. Organizer of Horse Show Russell Crowe mentioned that there were local people and people within a four hour radius from Vegreville. “Overall, the show went very well. Our goal is for everyone to be able to get out and compete in all sort of circuits and be able to learn a lot.”

A participant Sara Miko who was 11 came to the horse with her mother Melanie Miko from Saskatchewan. Sara admitted that this was a great opportunity and she liked everything about it. “It was just interesting to be able to spend more time with my horse Jewel.”

A chance to learn how to get around animals was available at ‘The Ultimate Bullfighting Experience where Aaron

Mercer and Connor Larive who are professional bullfighters demonstrated how to safely do this while they trained participates in various exercise using artificial bulls because Lead Facilitator for (TUBE) Brett Monea couldn’t attend this program.

Chicken racing of course.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photos)

A young participant Caiden Buttner said it was a weird feeling for the bull to come at him. “When you are bull fighting and you have to gate them out, this was a bit hard to do but otherwise, I enjoyed the experience.”

The Upstream Wellness Website stated that their job is to protect cowboys by distracting the bull once they are bucked off, to intervene if a cowboy gets hung up or stuck to the bull, and to help the bull safety exist the arena.

It was noted that participants have reported having an increased in confidence, competence and connection with others, and develop team work skills. They also gain skills and awareness on how to deal with potentially aggressive cattle for those involved with agriculture.

Participants get training on bull fighting.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Then originality set the tone when the first ever Annual Chicken Races were presented near the Grandstand. Courtnei Davies was the organizer for the Chicken Races. We had 20 chickens race! I wanted to bring some more family fun to the Dash to Summer event. It was a cute way to stay with the theme of the weekend!

We kept it similar with different heats and fastest times like the chuckwagon races but obviously a little less powerful then what you see on the track! We had a girl there that had been racing her chicken for two weeks! We had all sorts of chickens from Easter Eggers to Orpingtons!”

The Ultimate Carnival Experience in the way of bouncy castles.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Dash to Summer Daredevils

The daredevil duo of Brylee Harper and Kloe Holte from Diamonds ‘N’ Dust entertained the crowd to kick-off the Vegreville Agricultural Society’s Dash to Summer event on June 2. The weekend long event also featured chariot and chuckwagon races, horse show, chicken races, bull fighting experience, entertainment, and plenty of bouncy houses for the kids to enjoy. (Michelle Pinon/Photos)