The atmosphere at this past weekend’s Vilna Boomtown Fair Days was, well, booming.
The community’s cultural center was bustling with many activities throughout the weekend. The festivities began on Friday with the bench show display, preluding a jam-packed Saturday lineup.
The Saturday activity schedule kicked off with the traditional pancake breakfast at Jenny’s Cottage, followed by a parade through the community.
Most of the other Boomtown Day staples also made a return. Once again there was carnival games, a bouncy house, a petting zoo and a balloon animal artist to entertain the kids.
As usual there was a bounty of different vendor displays and both a live and silent auction at the event for shopping enthusiasts to enjoy, with the entertainment lineup featuring the Vilna Vesalka Ukrainian Dance Club and the Metis dancers.
There were some outdoor activities available for the people that were willing to brave the cold weather. Those events included archery, a horseshoe tournament, old fashion egg races and the popular greased pig and chicken scramble.
The second day of the festivities concluded with a dance and fireworks.
Sunday’s program also saw the return of traditional favourite gospel jamboree and mushroom cook-off events.
While much of the weekend was similar to previous years, Mary Flondra, a member of the planning committee said there were some new features.
“A couple of things are different. This year we hired an emcee, Sharon Mallon (retired CFCW/K97 radio host) to host the afternoon program and this year some of the proceeds raised from the live and silent auction is being donated to STARS.”
There were also some changes made to the Saturday dance. It featured the St. Paul band Boomtown as the musical act and there was a mechanical bull on-site for any brave soul that wished to ride it.
In addition to all these events drawing people to Boomtown Days, Flondra says the socialization also plays a role in getting people to come out.
“This really does seem to be the weekend in the summer where everyone comes back to their local town. [Boomtown Days] gives everyone an opportunity to visit with each other and have fun with each other.”
