HYLO - Since 1990, Hylo Harvest Days has brought people from near and far to the small agricultural community to enjoy farming demonstrations, pancakes, and a variety of fun-filled activities.
The 2025 version of the long-running local event took place from Aug. 22-23 inside and on the grounds of the Hylo Community Centre. Hylo is located about 23 kilometres from Lac La Biche.
The traditional horticultural show exhibits, which featured various categories, including flowers, vegetables, baked goods, along with harvest crops such as wheat, oats, and canola seeds, were on display on Aug. 23, after judging took place the day prior. The winners of the horticultural show were Louise Gauthier, Kim Hughes, and Paisley Beniuk.
There was also a beef brisket cook-off that involved seven residents entering beef briskets to be judged.
Ryan Manca of Lac La Biche came in at first place in that contest, while Scott Ferguson received second place, and Mike Broadbent got third spot.
People who were at the community centre for pancakes and to view the horticultural exhibits could also shop at the market set up inside the facility.
At 12:30 p.m., large crowds of spectators gathered to watch the customary Hylo Harvest Days parade. This parade featured floats representing several local businesses, community organizations, and even Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Services.
People riding on the floats tossed candy and other treats to those standing along the route.
The afternoon brought an assortment of fun and interesting activities that included a corn hole tournament, a car classic show, children’s activities, as well as games like Chicken Poop Bingo.
In this game, players select numbers that correspond with tiles on a playing board. If the chicken who’s walking around the board happens to ‘do their business’ on a particular tile, the person who has that specific numbered tile wins.
At around 5 p.m., people congregated around a pig pen set up on the grounds of the Hylo community centre for the annual pig catching competition. As the crowd watched, groups of children chased after and tried to grab onto pigs of various sizes, in a bid to win prizes.
Some people who took in this year’s Hylo Harvest Days have been coming to the annual community event since its inception over three decades ago, including Claudia Theroux.
“It brings unity between the community members, and participation from people outside of the community, and it’s just a fun event,” Theroux said.
Driven Resources Ltd., which is run by Chad and Brandy Biollo of Venice, was one of the local businesses represented in the parade for Hylo Harvest Days 2025. The couple entered a hydrovac truck into the parade.
Chad Biollo says he has many fond memories of the long-running community event, attending as a child and now an adult.
He remembers old farm machinery, tractors, as well as demonstrations involving thrashing machines cutting crops before loading and thrashing them taking place in the past. Years ago, the parade featured a lot of horses, as well as big trucks and farming equipment.
“Now we’re here to put one of ours in,” he said, adding, “It just keeps growing every year, so we like to come and just be a part of it.”
