Awesome Aggie Days

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Despite Mother Nature’s persistent rain, the annual Carseland Aggie Days was held June 20-22. After Friday’s fireworks, Saturday’s events were forced indoors with lots to see and do, with the parade moved to Sunday, when the forecast cleared. Sunday’s mutton busting and bullarama went ahead as scheduled.

Melissa Piche Photo

The Hamlet of Carseland came alive this past weekend as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the 25th annual Aggie Days, hosted by the Carseland Agricultural Society.

Running from June 20-22, the milestone event offered a full slate of family-friendly fun, showcasing the best of rural Alberta community spirit all while navigating some classic prairie weather.

“This year marked the 25th anniversary of Aggie Days (Carseland Agricultural Days), so we were very excited about that,” said Georgina Nicholls, president of the board of directors for the Carseland Agricultural Society.

Despite the torrential downpour on Saturday, organizers adapted by moving many activities indoors. 

“Our kids’ zone was moved indoors,” Nicholls explained. “That’s inflatables, an obstacle course, a bouncy house and some stuff for the little ones to do with a face painter.”

Friday night kicked off the celebration with fireworks at 11 p.m. and the return of the always-popular beer gardens. Due to the weather, the show and shine and tractor pull had to be cancelled – however the Workhorse and Chicken Smoker Contest, followed by a community dinner in the evening went as scheduled.

Sunday wrapped up the weekend with classic small-town charm starting with a pancake breakfast and a parade through the hamlet with the gates opening at 1 p.m. for the highlight event, the Bullarama.

The event started with the crowd-favourite of mutton busting. 

“We had eight contestants for the mutton busting this year,” said Nicholls. 

The cowboys went straight to work after the mutton busting giving the crowd their money’s worth. The Bullarama is part of the larger Bull Riders Canada (BRC) circuit bringing professional talent to the local grounds.

Nicholls, who has been with the association for eight years, emphasized the grassroots effort behind the event. 

“I think it’s important for the community to understand that this is a community-driven event,” she said. “All of the family parts – the kids’ zone, the tractor pull, the show and shine – those are all free of charge. Same thing with the fireworks. It’s all about our families and our community coming out, meeting each other, celebrating our community.”

Thanks to dedicated volunteers and local sponsors Aggie Days remained accessible to everyone. 

“We work really hard to drive sponsorship and to get as much of it covered as possible, so that it keeps the cost low so families can enjoy the day,” said Nicholls.