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BENTLEY & DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETYThe Bentley & District Agricultural Society became the umbrella under which three primary groups came together for a summer weekend of fun, food, education and celebration for the whole community. The original Certificate of Organization was granted in March 1974 by the Minister of Agriculture. The summer weekend of fun, eventually became the Bentley and District Agricultural Society Town and Country Fair and Rodeo
On August 7, 1963, a parade, organizied by the Sunset Hills Riding Club (which was started on March 22, 1962) marched down the main street of Bentley. One unique feature was Mary Morison in full skirted riding habit, riding side-saddle on her horse Blackfoot. Every parade needs a "whip-cracking Parade Marshall. Barbara Anderson coached a young teenager,Joanne Butcher,(nee Baumbach) for the duty. She has kept many great parades organized and continues to do so today. A special feature of the Bentley Parade occurred when Gordon Gillard, with microphone in hand fixed a precarious perch on the roof of Martin's Barber Shop to comment on each entry. The Riding Club also initiated an early morning, Pancake Breakfast to start the day's events. To make sure the word spread far and wide, a truck mounted with speakers drove through Gull Lake Campground early in the morning, announcing the breakfast. Campers followed the truck back into town like the Pied Piper.
Then came the "Rodeo" in 1966, sponsored by the Bentley Elks on the Thursday and Friday evenings. Contestants were locals, and the arena was full to the rafters. Dirt, chutes and pens for the arena were donated and installed by volunteers. The Elks committee for the rodeo included Gordon Gillard, Ken Olson and Harvey Haarstad, while Gimlet Rodeo Stock was contracted to provide stock. Grand Entries have been performed over the years, including "Strike Force", a ladies horseback group organized and led by Tina Wasik. Later the group's name changed to "Sunset Riders, and Lola Jaffray took charge.
Clowns often entertained during intermission, and on one occasion put up a makeshift biffy, then set off explosive fire crackers and blew out the walls while sitting down. Kids of all ages thought it was hilarious!
Needed was a "Town and Country Fair" to fill in the space for the afternoon. A meeting was organized by Ken Bargholz. Gerry Wynnia the Ag rep from Lacombe served as a resource person. Committees of volunteers organized the Bench Shows. Every local organization, service club and church group sponsored an event or activity.
Over the years many unique activities were part of the event - the Riding Club organized a gymkhana, drawing area contestants. The Fair hosted a Little Red Barn with livestock including exotic chickens courtesy of Len Stoness, Mrs. Beasley - a brown Swiss-Holstein cross cow could be milked, Rosie Nelson brought sheep and Squeeky the donkey was available for rides. Many cattle breeds were represented at the cattle show including Charolais, Horned and Polled Herefords, Angus and Shorthorns, all of which were being raised by area residents. Doug's Exotic Zoo came with zoo animals and Ellis Bird Farm brought a display.
Not only animals were part of the entertainment, as a quad/lawn tractor race was held for several years, and the Outlet Get Together Club sponsored a pie social for seniors. Young people were not forgotten, as a mini tractor pull took place in the Elks parking lot. Shut-ins at the hospital were entertained by a clown, who then put on a children's show along with community members painting faces for the young. Midways were brought in for several years, and pony rides were available.
Shirley and Diane Butcher prepared the first catalog of events. Then, Bev Brandon carried on until 1995. Agnes Palmer and Helen McLachlan cranked out copies on the old Gestetner machine. June Norvila took over from Bev and continues to compile it. In 1982, the printing of the booked cost one hundred dollars, donated by the Royal Purple. An advertising budget to send information to the media was five hundred and fifty dollars that year, while in 2006 the cost was three thousand dollars.
CHANGES through the years:
1967 - through 70's - two days of events (Breakfast, Parade, Rodeo, Gymkhana)
1971 - special events included
Feed and Forage Class in the Bench Show
Livestock Show - cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, poultry and pets
Dunk Tank
1972 - Beef BBQ and Rodeo Dance added
1973 - Horseshoe Tournament and Little Red Barn
1974 - Kids Pony Rides and Drop-in Social
1975 - Children's Games and Elks Concession Booth at Rodeo
1977 - Heavy Horse Pull (cost was two cases of beer)
1978 - Third day added
1979 - Shepherd Dog Obedience Demo
1980 - celebration of Alberta's 75th Anniversary
Senior choir participated
Special baby show -
won by Frank & Jeanette Metro's 1st granddaughter
1981 - Fifteenth Annual Rodeo, puppet show entertainment
1982 - Flea Market held
1983 - Ladies Slow Pitch Tournament, Interdenominational Church Service,
English Horse Show
1984 - became four day event - R.M. Fisher presented an art slide show, caravan
exhibit from provincial museum, Bossy Bingo, Jackass Polo, Junior Rodeo
1985 - Kids Carnival
1986 - Computerized Health Appraisal Van, Farmers Market
1988 - Dep't of Highways Seat Belt Demo, Blindman Valley 4-H Beef Club
Display
1989 - Environment Display, balloon rides
1990 -Parkland Savings served breakfast on Sat, Chamber of Commerce hosted
Beef on a Bun, Kids Midway
1991 - Petting Zoo and Donkey Rides, Old Time Fiddlers Contest
1992 - Dunk Tank, Speed Knitters Contest
1993 - Doug's Exotic Zoo, Face Painting
1994 - Live entertainment - Chamber of Commerce
1995 - Llama Show, Chili Cooking Contest, Children's Contest sponsored by the Bank of Montreal,
Children's Amusements
1996 - Museum Open, Children's Tractor Pull
1997 - Vintage Tractor Pull, Show & Shine, Pony Club Dressage Demo, Rosco
the Clown
1998 - Children's Treasure Hunt, Stock Dog Trials
2001 - Bison Burger BBQ, Inflatable Bouncing Toy, Hot Dog Sale, Quad Prod
Fun Run, Garage Sale, Elevator Drive-in Movie
2002 - Pony Rides, Cattle Penning
2004 - Midway, UFA History in Motion Trailer
2005 - Medicine Hills Art Festival, Fireworks
2006 - Reptile Display
Some of the events have come & gone as interest cycled, but one constant has remained - the event always follows the long weekend in August, and is eagerly anticipated and attended by area residents and distant visitors.
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Bentley Ag.Center - 20052005
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Bentley Agricultural Center2010
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Corrals behind the arena used during fair days2010
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Parade in early years.Mid 1900's
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Doris Bargolz and Gordon Gillard announcing the Bentley parade1997
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Bentley Fair & Rodeo - 20052005
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Bentley Elks Rodeo -20052005
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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SUNSET HILLS RIDING CLUBThe Sunset Hills Riding Club came into being on March 22, 1962, at a meeting organized by Pat and Ethel Raabis. Folks who loved to ride their horses, while enjoying the scenic countryside, as well as the camaraderie of a group of riders, were eager to join such a club.
Forty eight people joined the group that night, with Ken Olson as President, Edward Paul as Vice-Chair, Ethel Raabis as Sect-Treas, and Marg Peterson as Publicity-Convener. Two other important positions were Trail Boss and Gateman, working with seven Directors.
The first trail ride started at Ken Olson's with 23 riders up. Those who weren't riding were welcome to come and share "Vittles" at the end of the day. Rides were enjoyed through the scenic Sunset Hills, through green pastures, and around the shores of Gull Lake, as well as weekends or week long camp-outs into the Yaha Tinda country.
Evening meetings featured educational films or talks dealing with horses and riders. Gymkhanas were part of skills training and competition.
A once a year impromptu parade down Main Street, Bentley, became an important partnership with Bentley Elks and the Agricultural Society to become the Town and Country Fair, a yearly community celebration.
The first parade marshal was Agnes Palmer. At the last minute, she had to leave on urgent business and turned the duty over to Gordon Gillard. So, that Thursday morning, Gordon on Rusty, followed closely by young Phil Butcher on his pony, had organized everyone into line, when a swayback, boney, old, buckskin pony, with his rider, an old man slouched in the saddle, dressed in his Indian regalia, joined the parade. No one knew who he was, or where he had come from, and no one had time to find out, as he left and disappeared immediately when the parade ended. Eventually, Agnes Palmer returned from her urgent business to enjoy the rest of the day.
John Gordon had hauled a water trough out onto Main Street to water the horses and or riders. It was not a popular move with the village council.
The second part of involvement with the Town and Country Fair, was serving up the "Best in the West" pancake, bacon and eggs, breakfast in the park. Another appreciated feature, was the serving of an unlimited quantity of cold, whole milk, supplied by the local dairy farm of James and Sheila Morison. The cooler was a 15 gallon, insulated steel container, which is now at the museum.
What was a popular and unique feature of the parade was having a Commentator perched precariously on the roof of Martin's Barber Shop, then later in a special street level booth on Main Street. Gordon Gillard was an apt ad-libber on the mike and Dick Damron tapes were played to add to the enjoyment of the capacity crowds along the parade route.
Another yearly project,of the Sunset Hills Riding Club was the organization of a Poker Rally in 1977, and this continued on for 20 years, with the last rally being ridden in 1998. Riders came from all over Central Alberta. One memorable outing, 302 riders bought poker hands. At another, 480 people bought hands to send with riders to draw their cards. 100% of the entry fees were paid back in prizes to winning hands. The day of course was finished with a steak BBQ.
Times and circumstances change, but today the Sunset Hills Riding Club, still organizes the Town and Country Parade under parade Marshall Joanne Butcher. Long time members, still organize and serve at least one pancake breakfast, at the four day fair and rodeo.
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Agnes Palmer (first parade marshal) - member of Sunset Hills Riding Club1950-1970
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Harvey & Ruby Haarstad at pancake breakfast during Bentley Fair & Rodeo2005
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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The crowd out enjoying the Sunset Hills' Pancake Breakfast - 20052005
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Sunset Hills Riding Club making pancakes for the pancake breakfast2005
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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