I did the math yesterday, when the “sound guy” from the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition in Swan River asked me how many years I’ve been coming up for the weekend. I’m pretty sure over my 17 years at GX94, I’ve been at the Roundup for at least 10 of those years. It goes by way too fast.
The man who runs the show in Swan River, or at least takes care of us the most is Wayne Antichow. Every year I get to go with him, riding either in a side by side, or his golf cart now, through the grounds, to interview cowboys, chuckwagon drivers, and organizers of the roundup. This is one of my favourite parts of the weekend. This time I interviewed Jim with Prime Time Rodeos, the man who brings in everything the Ag Society needs for the rodeo, Shane, President of the EPCCA, and a member of the RCMP Musical Ride to name a few.
One of the stops we always make is to see our good friend Gary Clapman. Gary has been announcing the Heavy Horse pull for the Ag Society for years. Next year he is celebrating his 80th birthday. I’m thinking there will be a huge celebration for him. He is so sweet and has the best stories to listen to, and welcomes anyone into his campsite for a chat.
I got to see Bridgette Dickey again, from Willowbrooke. 12 years old, I met her last year and she was a firecracker on and off the air. This year she competed in the Light Horse, Western and English style. Her whole family was wonderful to hang out with and I’m glad that I ran into her again.
I was up in the announcers booth on Sunday to emcee the RCMP Musical Ride. That was a pretty cool experience, and I’ll write about that this week too. Of course I had to snap a quick picture with Brennan Jack. He’s the voice of the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition in Swan River. He is always so great to listen to, and gives GX94 a lot of shout outs when we are in the stands shooting off shirts with our t-shirt cannon or when I’m in the Chuckwagon parade with Kelvin Hawreluik! Plus when you get to see the face behind the voice, of course you need a picture! It was great seeing you Brennan.
And last but not least, these guys. (I’m going to have a whole blog dedicated to the Hawreluik family. I didn’t forget about them!) Danny Ismond, my work brother? … work husband? … pain in my @$$ co-worker, and Lindsay Villeneuve from our Experience Department. There couldn’t be two more fun people to spend the weekend with. Sharing food, photos, laughter, and all of our grumpy moments, our crew from GX94 is the best.
-Tonya Cherry-