By June Norvila
It is the time of year again when groups and committees are in the final stages of planning for the annual Bentley Fair and Rodeo.
This year it will be Aug. 5 to 8 and the theme is a salute to Bentley's own world renowned Dick Damron and his 50 years in the country music business.
There will be some changes of note.
The annual horse show, usually held on the Sunday, the last day of the fair, is going two weeks earlier on its own weekend.
This year the Bentley Ag Society Horse Show will be held at the Bentley Arena on July 24. There is no admission charge for spectators. Entry forms for contestants can be obtained by contacting Kelly Muncaster at 403-598-7737. No post entries will be taken. Entries close on July 18.
Another new exciting event will be the Mounted Cowboy Shootout sanctioned by the Canadian Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association. Contact for the free show that will take place in the Bentley Arena Aug. 5 is Gail Cook of the Leather Loft, who is a director of the club and lives southwest of Bentley.
In this event riders on horseback go through an obstacle course as fast as they can shooting at targets. It should prove to be an exciting event for the entire family and admittance is free, as so many events are with the Bentley Fair & Rodeo because they are sponsored by the Bentley Ag Society.
The remote controlled mini air show that has been presented for the last two years is expanding this year to include model trucks and cars. On the Sunday they will race, do stunts and put on a free demonstration by the Blindman Valley Ag Centre at the same time as the free mini air show is going on. There will be a chance for youngsters to try out some of the vehicles and maybe win a remote controlled truck
This year Bentley and area small businesses, organizations and groups are being given free space outside to show off what they are all about in a mini trade show atmosphere. An area will be designated for the Saturday along Railway Avenue close to the car show, and near the remote control planes, trucks, and cars by the Ag Centre on the Sunday afternoon.
At the June 10 ag society meeting, Greg Beavis, on behalf of the Bentley Revmasters Car Club, brought up the concept of Kroozin' The Community and gained approval to go ahead with the idea. It is hoped groups like the ski club, sailing club, local artisan, and non profit groups will take advantage of the opportunity to showcase themselves.
There are lots of small businesses and clubs that people don't even know exist, Beavis feels, and this is a chance to show what Bentley and area has to offer. Limited sales from pre-approved vendors will be allowed. It was stressed no concessions can enter. Any tables or booths are the responsibility of the vendor.
Contact Greg at 403-318-1821 or amigos@platinum.ca for details to see if your business or group would qualify for a free spot.
Laser tag is another new venue planned for the Bentley Fair and it too is free to try. The Bentley Ag Society has hired a business to come into the gymnasium of the Bentley Community Church on the Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It was an attempt to offer something for the 12- to 17-year-old age group but is open to everyone. It is hoped groups of friends will take advantage of this free opportunity to have fun and get some exercise. It will be run and supervised by the company that sets up the course and brings the equipment.
The Bentley volunteer firefighters are bringing in a dunk tank to be placed near their concession by the car show for Saturday.
Bench exhibit sewing classes are totally revamped. It will look like fewer classes although really everything is still covered, said the convenor.
There will now be $2 charge for children's pony rides due to an increase in cost to the ag society that is still subsidizing bringing in the ponies.
Missing this year are the stock dogs, llama show, and Medicine Hills Arts Festival.
Remaining basically unchanged are the pancake breakfasts, parade, free senior's pie social, children's free show, and the 13th annual Kroozin' West Show & Shine. There are still two evenings of CARA rodeo, a special fireworks display, free movies shown on the side of the grain elevator and two days of horseshoe pitching.
Best Dressed Town Yard competition nominations will be needed. People can submit their own yards or nominate someone else's before the end of July.