By Adam Eisenbarth
The campaign of pink came to an entertaining conclusion on Canada Day.
The Polyjesters performed a free concert as a reward to Rimbey for its effort to win the title as ‘2009 Pinkest Little Town in the West.’
The concert was held at the ball diamonds before the fireworks show.
It was only a year ago that the town draped itself in pink, and more importantly, raised more than $11,000 for breast cancer research.
Ag society manager Lynn Johnson headed up the efforts after being notified Rimbey would be on the tour. It was an encouraging sight to see the town work together.
“It’s been a long time since the town has really rallied as well as they did and it was really a positive thing.”
After finding out the town had won the contest that involved 22 towns, Johnson was excited that all the hard work throughout the town had paid off.
“It was overwhelming in a sense because I know everyone worked so hard. Everyday you walked down the street there was a new business had their storefront pink. I don’t think there was a business in town that didn’t have something pink in their window.”
The town was presented with two signs that will be posted at entrances to the town. After the presentation, the Alberta-based Polyjesters played a wide variety of upbeat music for the town.
“I was quite surprised we didn’t have a bigger crowd just because of the support we did have from the town for (Wild Pink Yonder,)” said Johnson. “It was a busy weekend though.”
This year, Wild Pink Yonder will tour the east side of the province, so Rimbey may have to wait a few years to reclaim its title.
“It was a lot of work. We had kids out painting curbs, it was unbelievable the amount of pink that was in this town and there’s still some remnants of it in town,” said Johnson.
From barbeques to draws, the town held a number of fundraisers to become the ‘Pinkest Town in the West.’
“To have something come together like that and the amount of support the town gave was very energetic and very positive. I’d like to thank the town for being so generous and coming together,” Johnson said.