It was a pyrogy-lover’s paradise in Glendon this weekend.
On Saturday, Aug. 31, hungry festival-goers sat down to enjoy a plate of homemade pyrogies at the Glendon RCMP Hall for the village’s 28th annual Pyrogy Fest.
Mayor Laura Papirny noted the turnout was good this year, and it didn’t seem like it was going to slow down.
“A lot of people were coming and going, and when some people would leave a whole other group would come in,” she said.
Volunteers from the Glendon Minor Hockey Association made and served the pyrogies, with a portion of the day’s proceeds benefitting the local group.
Glendon Minor Hockey president Tammy Ganser said it took 20 volunteers three days to make the 7,000 pyrogies served during the event.
“I just feel like our community comes here every weekend all winter to support our kids, so this was our way to give back and to show our appreciation to the community,” she expressed.
Papirny added, “Being a smaller community, we have a small volunteer base and this way we get to share the funds with them, which is awesome because every group is always fundraising and looking for a way to do it. It was nice to be able to share it with them.”
Along with enjoying the pyrogies and pies for sale, attendees had the opportunity to browse local vendors’ stalls while listening to the Troy Gates Band perform.
Amber Yantha made the trip from Cold Lake to celebrate the pyrogy. She stumbled upon the festival after bringing her kids to Pyrogy Park and learning about the event happening down the street.
“It was really fun. The kids each picked out something at the market, they liked playing at the park, and the music was great,” she exclaimed.
The draw of the afternoon was the pyrogy eating contest. Residents crowded around to watch as competitors stuffed their faces to see who could eat the pyrogies the fastest.
Emmett Winchester, 7, was the winner for the five to seven category. In the eight to 10-years-old category, Quintyn Black, 9, took home the honours.
Eleven-year-old Oliver Kynaston blew away the competition in the 11 to 13 category, while it was Jakob Kemplay who was victorious in the 14 to 17 group.
For the men’s 18 and over category, Gary Moleschi shoveled in his pyrogies the fastest.
Newcomer Yantha was surprised when she came out on top in the 18 and over women’s division.
“It’s the first time I’ve entered a contest like that, and then I won.”
MD of Bonnyville Coun. Mike Krywiak continued his reign as the quickest pyrogy eater in the village in the men’s 55+ category. This was his fourth year taking first place for the age group.
“I didn’t think I would be able to retain it, but I did somehow. Maybe somebody next year will beat me,” he said.
The decision was made to move the festival indoors this year, but it didn’t dampen the excitement of the day.
“Last year, we did get rained on. We had some plans and we couldn’t do them because of the weather. This way, we thought we were protected in case of the weather,” Papirny noted.
With another successful Pyrogy Fest in the books, they’re already looking ahead to next year. Papirny said they’d like to add more activities for children and for the vendors’ market to grow.
