CANORA – In a Canora summer that has featured plenty of rain, the Canora Ag Days was unable to escape the effects of the wet weather.
In spite of countless hours of work by Canora Agricultural Society organizers, the following announcement was posted by Jessie Buhler, EPCCA (Eastern Professional Chariot & Chuckwagon Association) administration & financial co-ordinator, on the Canora Ag Society Facebook page. The announcement was posted on Aug. 22, the day before Gymkhana events and chariot and chuckwagon races were scheduled to get underway.
“We regret to inform you that the Canora Ag Society has made the difficult decision to cancel both the chariot and chuckwagon races this weekend.
“They have had six-plus inches of rain the last week or so, and due to extremely wet track conditions and for the safety of our equine athletes, the show is cancelled. We look forward to racing back in Canora in 2026.”
Also due to the wet conditions, gymkhana events were cancelled.
Carmen Wolkowski, Canora Ag Society president, said organizers were disappointed to have to make these cancellations.
“There is a lot of work and volunteer hours that goes into the planning all year long for this weekend,” said Wolkowski. “So it is hard as a volunteer to have to cancel.”
“For weeks ahead of the races we were trying to get track material on and prepare it so it would be ready in time. Unfortunately, Mother Nature just had different plans and it kept raining. We did not give up and continued to the week of Ag Days, still getting things ready in hopes that we could still have the events. But with the rain still coming it just was not possible.”
Ag Days still carried on, but with the reduced slate of events.
Once again, the Good Spirit Petting Zoo was a big hit with the kids, as well as the pony rides.
Kids’ games and the Barnyard Olympics attracted large numbers of youngsters.
“The simulated cow milking is always a highlight,” said Wolkowski. “We are also known for old- fashioned kids’ games such as the three-legged race, wheelbarrow race, and the spoon and egg race. We get asked often throughout the year if we will be having them as well as the stick horse race. This year we ran it with the kids’ games instead of on the track like we usually do.
“It was a great turnout for the Slo-Pitch tournament,” continued Wolkowski. “We had eight teams and are hoping to have a two-day event next year. We also had a great turnout for the Home Run Derby.”
A full tent of people gathered to watched major league baseball and CFL football on the sportsg rounds during Ag Days.
“A big thank you to Aaron Herriges and Canora Leisure Service for bringing out the big screen and streaming the Blue Jays and Riders game. It was a great addition to the beer gardens.”
All things considered, Wolkowski said the weekend went well.
“We have been fortunate enough over the years that rain has never been a factor. We look forward to planning bigger and better next year and hoping to see everyone again!”
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