ELK POINT – Back in 1984, the Elk Point Oilmen’s Association hosted its very first Oilmen’s Bonspiel, an event that “attracted 32 rinks of oil industry executives and personnel, with another 20 rinks turned away due to lack of space,” according to the Elk Point Lakeland Review’s first-ever summary of the previous year’s news.
That bonspiel became an annual tradition, through oil booms and busts, growing to years when the schedule covered four full days of on-ice action, complete with entertainment and banquets. Challenge trophies gathered more names each year, and many teams repeated their wins for multiple years.
Over the years, the original restrictions that all curlers must work in the oil industry have been relaxed, with the current teams required to have a skip and at least one of the other curlers working in the oil industry.
This year, the Elk Point Oilmen’s Association is celebrating its 40th Annual Oilmen’s Bonspiel on Jan. 30 and 31 and Feb. 1, with each team guaranteed three eight-end games and the event winding up with a banquet, dance and entertainment. Registration deadline to get in on the action is Jan. 24.
For more information, call Tyler Warawa at 780-645-1234.
