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Slo-pitch tournament brings far-flung community together

Every August, the population of Byemoor near doubles as expatriates, their families and friends descend on the community for the annual...
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Stacey Lavallie/Independent reporter John Schofer sits atop the Boar’s Cup float during the annual Byemoor parade. The parade

Every August, the population of Byemoor near doubles as expatriates, their families and friends descend on the community for the annual Byemoor Slo-Pitch tournament, which, this year, ran from Friday, Aug. 19 to Sunday, Aug. 21.

There was once again consistency with the tournament's 32 team slots filling quickly — and others standing by in the hopes of securing a berth if it came up, explained Raelynn Knowles, one of the organizers.

"We've run the tournament for 34 years," she said. "Thirty-two teams for 34 years."

She said that a lot of the teams are made up of local residents, or those who have ties to the community but have since moved to neighbouring towns and centres. Other teams come from nearby communities like Hanna, Big Valley and Trochu to compete, ensuring a weekend of wild slo-pitch fun.

Almost every free surface in the community played host to trailers and tents, and families housed relatives until they were bursting, Knowles noted.

The community hosts its annual parade as part of the festivities, and this year, 25 floats were entered in the horse-led celebration of the community winding through its streets. Children, adults and seniors alike lined the side of the roads, hoping to catch sight of friends and favourite floats as well as secure some of the wildly flung candy.

Saturday and Sunday started off with a hearty pancake breakfast, courtesy of the hard-working Sullivan Lake West Agricultural Society. The society also hosted Saturday's beef supper, which was also well attended, Knowles said.

"All of the events were heavily attended," Knowles said. "There were people everywhere."

The children had their own fair Saturday afternoon, with a petting zoo and face-painting as key activities. This year's bouncy house had some technical difficulties and had to remain deflated, but Knowles said it should be back next year.

Friday and Saturday evenings belonged to the adults, as music and dancing filled the Byemoor Hall during the cabaret.

Tournament Results

A EventFirst - Moonshiners (Trochu, Rumsey, Three Hills)Second - Upper Deckers (Endiang)

B EventFirst - Crude Crew (Byemoor, Hanna)Second - Too Fat to Fish (Byemoor, Trochu, Big Valley)

C EventFirst - Yishins (Stettler)Second - Double-Fisters (Consort)