Happy 80th birthday greetings to Anne Neilson, who celebrated her special day with an open house at the Senior Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Granddaughters Samantha and Amber were in charge of the guest book, while daughter Brenda from Langley, son, Mike from Burnaby and daughter-in-law Cindy served coffee and birthday cake. Son Bert prepared a family birthday supper at the farm.
Anne’s actual birthdate is Sept. 1.
The rodeo grounds were crowded Saturday, despite the windy, cool weather, for the 17th annual bull-a-rama.
The festivities began with the crowd-pleasing kids wild pony races, followed by the ladies calf scramble.
Jillian Schaffner opened the program with the singing of O Canada, followed by a performance by the Ladies of the Heartland, which included two local girls, Rae-Anne Cordel and Alison Dahmer.
The main event included both saddle-bronc riders and bull-riders.
The crowd also enjoyed the halftime entertainment — mini-chucks with guest drivers Tony Nibourg and his brother Ted, the antics of Johnny D and his girlfriend, and our local rock band, Paper Bag Skirt.
The campground was full, the food booth was very busy, as were the beer gardens, and the money pit kept the kids occupied. Dance music was supplied by Tradesman and the fireworks made a spectacular ending to a great day.
A pat on the back to the Elks and a whole army of volunteers who keep life in a small town very interesting.
Many households had company at the weekend.
Rick and Lisa Kent hosted friends Raffeal and Kodie from Edmonton, who came down to attend the bull-riding.
Brian Kent from Camrose was also visiting with his cousins, Wyatt, Morgan and Mac while spending summer holidays with grandparents Dale and Melody.
Kent and Evelyn Johnson have had lots of company. They went fishing at Canyon Creek with Evelyn’s brother Alec and Deanna Mont Briand from Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask., last week.
This weekend, Kent’s cousin Wes and Betty Rammel from Medicine Hat, came to Halkirk for the rodeo, and on Sunday they took grandson Forbes Morrison to the airport for his return home to Vancouver.