The painted steer, weather and people were among memories from past Canadian Western Agribition shows that were replayed during a ceremony to mark the opening of the 40th show Nov. 22 and honour the founders.
Robert Ballantyne of Livelong, Sask., has exhibited at every one of those shows but this will be the last. The longtime Galloway breeder is holding a dispersal sale this fall.
He said he felt “a tickle down my spine” when asked to speak for exhibitors who supported that first show and have made Agribition an international marketplace.
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He recalled the second year, when Jonathon Fox judged about 600 Herefords on horseback. He remembered the -40 C weather and talked about the pride felt by the winners of Agribition banners.
“I’m sure they never thought that Canadian Western Agribition would be what it is today,” he said.
“They are the visionaries, who in early 1971 decided to host the new livestock exposition and were overwhelmed when 2,670 head showed up that fall.”
Although many had a hand in it, the new CWA Hall of Fame announced Nov. 22 saw the five men who signed the original certificate incorporating Agribition under the Societies Act inducted as its first members.
Barry Andrew, Ken Halvorson, Gordon Hollinger, Bill Small and Chris Sutter were the five, and Andrew and Halvorson were on hand for the ceremonial burning of the brand.
The occasion was made more poignant after Small’s death just days before this year’s show began. His wife, Agnes, along with Garth Hollinger and Spence Sutter, representing their fathers, accepted plaques in their honour.
Bill Aulie, president in 1999 and 2000, said that exhibitors are still dealing with familiar issues – the cold and lack of electricity and space.
That is slowly changing as Evraz Place undergoes renovation. The stadium, home to the first shows, will be demolished as part of that plan.
Aulie spoke of the time a rodeo bull jumped into the building’s stands and ran through The Swamp entertainment area before being caught.
Barn bosses spent their nights chasing cattle that escaped their tie-outs and headed for downtown or Wascana Lake.
Current president Marilyn Charlton said Agribition has gone from dream to plan to reality thanks to hard-headed farmers.
“Each step has been marked by leadership,” she said.
Several past-presidents and former general managers were also recognized for their work.
Also Nov. 22 the federal government announced a $150,000 investment in the show through its Agri-Marketing program.
