4H members from across southwest Manitoba will be converging to Boissevain this Friday for the Annual Boissevain 4H Zone Rally.
The day-long event sees members settle in at the Boissevain Ag Grounds early in the morning with stock trailers, Home and Hobby displays, flags and banners and all the accoutrements of Rally Day, this year celebrating 89 years!
It's been great to have the members come to Boissevain for 4H Rally Day,” shares Victoria Nowazek, Head Leader of the Boissevain Home & Hobby Club and member of the event planning committee. "The members enjoy this day! They get to meet up with the other members from across the area and make some new friends and do some new activities with different leaders."
All three Boissevain clubs (beef, equine and Home & Hobby) will be represented again this year, as well as the return of the Goodlands and Deloraine 4H clubs. From further away, clubs from the Reston and Coulter area will also be participating. It will be Killarney's 4H Beef Club's debut this year.
Nowazek says the day is open for 4H alumni to revisit past memories by checking out what's happening now in current clinics, as well as to the public whether a 4H alumni or not.
"It's for everyone; past, present, and hopefully maybe some future 4H members!”
"There's always lots to see," she adds. "The Boissevain Beef Club doesn't do their show this day. They will kind of do some practice stuff, but they have their show and sale later at the Boissevain Fair. This is also the first time to have Killarney back with their beef club so we're happy to have them attending this year!"
The Killarney 4H Beef Club will be showcasing their members and their cattle projects at the Killarney Fair later this summer.
"The horses have their shows running all day, and the multipurpose members will do their workshops, but they've got their projects that they've worked hard on all year on display too in the curling rink," shares Nowazek.
"4H is strong in this area and in our province and it's great to see the members come out and show what they've done and what they've learned throughout the year. And it's good for people to come and support that," she adds. "We also appreciate the support of our sponsors for this event as well"
The noon hour parade will begin shortly after 12:00 just north of the Boissevain Daycare building following its traditional route.
Following the parade the musical ride begins once everyone is settled. Each year brings a new program to the ring for attendees to enjoy, watching these young equine members ride in formation to a favorite country song. “That is definitely becoming a very popular event that people really want to get over to the stands right after the parade and catch a seat because, yeah, they do a really remarkable job, those clubs!”
The awards program will feature guest speaker George Meggison with the University of Manitoba, and 4H member of the Goodlands 4H Variety Club for over 10 years.
Nowazek says the invite is open to all.
"Please come and find a spot along with the streets for the parade and then be sure to join us down at the Ag grounds following the parade. The horse clubs will do their musical ride and then we have our award presentation. You're welcome to come in the morning and watch the horse shows and the different activities going on as well. There is no cost to come in and we appreciate everybody who comes out to see what 4H has offer."
It’s always great to see everyone again and have a fun day!”