Settler Days goes this weekend

Southern Alberta Newspapers file photo

By Nikki Jamieson
Westwind Weekly News

Stirling’s Settler Days are back. The annual three-day festival was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, as the popularity of the community event had meant they could not abide by the health restrictions in place while allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities.

This year, with the majority of restrictions lifted, Settler Days is offering a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.

“After 15 plus months of public health restrictions and event cancellations, I believe people are ready for a few days of familyfriendly fun and reconnecting with neighbours, friends and family. I’m grateful to the many volunteers, sponsors and partners who have helped us deliver this year’s Settler Days mostly free of charge for those who which to take part,” said Stirling Mayor Trevor Lewington.

Kicking off on Thursday, July 15, festivities begin with Music on the Veranda at the Michelsen Farmstead at 6:30 p.m. with ice cream treats, and a music program to begin at 7 p.m.

Events continue on Friday, July 16, with Pickleball games from 2-5 p.m. at the Stirling Reunion Centre Tennis Courts.After working up an appetite, a Mac and Cheese Cookoff will go at 6 p.m. at the Stirling Reunion Centre, with the winner being decided at 6:45 p.m. The Friends of the Library and Racket Club will be hosting a hotdog, pop and cup fundraiser there as well, and people are asked to drop off their cakes for a cake walk at the centre at 6 p.m., with judging taking place before the Cake Walk at 7 p.m. Tickets cost 50 cents each.

A family slo-pitch tournament at the Main Ball Diamond at 6:30 p.m.

Cost to enter is $50 a team. For more information or t register, call Billie Shipley at 403-715-3032.

The Stirling Fire Department will be hosting a vehicle extraction demonstration at 7 p.m. at the firehall, and Horse Wagon rides go at 7 p.m. at the corner of 3 Avenue and 6 Street, with donations being happily accepted.

Jumanji: The Next Level, will be playing for the Movie in the Park at the North Ball Diamond at 10 p.m., with the Stirling Library and Raquet club running concession.

The events on Saturday, July 17, kick off at 7 a.m. with the Tonnie Firemen Pancake Breakfast to support the fire department at the community centre, followed by the parade at 11 a.m.

South Century Team Roping goes 12-5 p.m. at the Stirling Silver Saddle Club Areana.

The Family Slo-Pitch Tournament continues at 12:30 p.m., and at the Sugarbowl, the Fireman’s Slip and Slide goes from 2-4 p.m. Lewington noted the the department’s members were putting their training to the test to build agigantic one, “which will be an entirely new adventure this year”.

Other games, such as stilts, hoops, balls, jousting and leg and arm wrestling will be available there as well.

Food trucks, ice cream and cold drinks will be available at the Stirling pool at 3:30 p.m., and an all ages Bike Rally/Historical Scavenger Hunt starts there at 4 p.m.

Teen activities such as cage ball and team building activities go at the north ball diamond go at the north ball diamond from 6-8 p.m., and a Family Dance takes place in front of the pool at 8:30 p.m., and Lewington said it has “always the most popular and well attended event”.

Finally, festivities will end with fireworks at the reunion centre starting at 11 p.m.

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