ROSTHERN, Sask. — Rosthern’s sixth annual Harvest Festival is just around the corner.
The Harvest Festival was first held in 2021, organized by the Rosthern Agricultural Society. In 2024, with approval of the Rosthern Town Council, leadership of the community event transitioned to the Town of Rosthern Recreation Department. The festival is now hosted in collaboration with local sports, culture and recreation organizations, service agencies and the business community. Thanks to sponsor support, most activities are offered at low or no cost, ensuring that all families can participate and feel a sense of belonging.
Scheduled for next weekend, Sept.18 and 19, the festival kicks off Friday afternoon, featuring a quilt show and afternoon tours (repeated on Saturday) at the Rosthern Museum, followed by wagon rides, family games, and an outdoor movie at Centennial Park.
The Rosthern Museum & Mennonite Interpretive Centre is situated in the historic red brick 1910 building, which was originally the German-English Academy and later became Rosthern Junior College. Due to its somewhat removed location from the primary business area, the museum may occasionally be missed, but it acts as the main historical archive for the Town of Rosthern and vicinity and includes a Mennonite Interpretive Centre that narrates the story of the beginnings and evolution of Mennonite culture and beliefs in the Saskatchewan Valley.
Saturday’s activities start with a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Jubilee Sports Centre. The parade starts at 10:00 from the RJC High School grounds and will proceed along 5th Street to 4th Avenue, the parade will continue to 6th Street, where it will turn and follow 5th Street past the Valley Aquatic Centre to 1st Avenue, where it will turn back to 5th Street and finish at the intersection with 4th Ave.
During the day in Centennial Park, there will be a slo-pitch tournament, balloon creations and face painting for the youngsters, while inside the Jubilee Sports Centre there will be bouncy castles, kids' games and crafts, as well as a Superdogs dog show act.
Starting at 2 p.m., the Rosthern Lions Club will host a bingo event in the Lions Hall. Meanwhile, outside, a car show will feature vintage classics and custom builds. To ensure pedestrian safety and accommodate the street market and car show, the business corridor along 6th Street will be closed to vehicle traffic. The closure in the 1000 block will begin at 8 a.m., while the 2000-3000 block will close after the parade concludes.
At Seager Wheeler Farm, the Rosthern Ag Society arena will host a full day of gymkhana events, complete with a food truck and a petting zoo.
Outdoor activities in Saskatchewan come with their challenges, particularly concerning weather. However, past experiences show that even after rain and chilly temperatures, the chance to enjoy one last outdoor event before the cold of late fall attracts both residents and visitors to the annual festival. Food vendors remain busy, the street market bustles with activity, and children have plenty of opportunities to expend their energy.
To round out the day’s activities and bring the annual Festival to a close, a fireworks show is planned for 9 p.m.
