BOYLE – A spot of rain didn’t dampen the jam-packed Boyle Wildberry Festival Aug. 11-12 which was laden with berry-themed costumes, activities for kids, local vendors and performances by regional talent.
With a ‘jam session’ Friday night, and parade and street fair on Saturday, organizer Kathy Proctor from the Boyle Betterment Committee said she was thrilled as they estimated 1,000-plus people attended.
“We were nervous about rain, however, when I woke up this morning and checked my phone it said no rain and I was so happy. We went forward and it worked out lovely,” said Proctor. “We had just as many people come through as last year. I feel really great because it’s a lot of work. It’s nice to see people coming out and enjoying it and it’s really nice to have all the surrounding area people here too from all the lakes around Boyle.”
The Singing Sawyers entertained the crowd Aug. 11, and The Family Tradition Band hailing from Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement belted beloved country tunes from their float during the Saturday morning parade and well into the afternoon.
Self-described entertainer, story-teller, and stand-up comic Wild Barry Sawka from Caslan led the parade with whoops and hollers, and could be heard performing his signature sound effects and animal impersonations for festival-goers as they perused vendors and activities lining the street.
Kid-focused activities included a petting zoo, face painting and an always-busy bouncy castle. A pick-up street hockey game was in full swing for most of the day, where kids, grandparents, firefighters and members from the Boyle RCMP Detachment played in an area sectioned off with donated square bales.
Buffed and shining classic cars rumbled through the parade and garnered much attention from passers-by as proud owners described their restoration efforts as part of the ever popular ‘show and shine’ display.
Terry Mudryk, owner of the Ole Fashioned Station which had a booth in the festival, and creator of the Wildberry Festival concept, expressed enthusiasm at its evolution over the years.
“It’s just blossomed. We started off with only half a street (of vendors and activities) and a parade, and now it’s this,” said Mudryk. “Being the organizer of the original, I’m very pleased with the way this has turned out … I’m so glad tradition carries on and I’m thrilled.”
Mudryk said the namesake of the event comes from one of Boyle’s identifying features, and is a source of pride for many involved in the festival.
“This area is full of blueberries and cranberries and high bush cranberries and the Saskatoons, which this year were abundant,” said Mudryk. “I thought it was really fitting to have a wild berry (theme) and to go a little wild,” she added.
