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Wawota celebrates Heritage Days

Over the August Long Weekend Wawota celebrated their Heritage Days in the valley. Heritage Days actually began in the 1950s and then there were a number of years when it didn't happen.
Heritage Days
Youngsters loved the Slip ‘n Slide on such a hot afternoon.

            Over the August Long Weekend Wawota celebrated their Heritage Days in the valley.

            Heritage Days actually began in the 1950s and then there were a number of years when it didn't happen. The decision was made to bring it back again in 2015 and has been going on ever since.

            The Heritage Days kicked off with a parade on Friday afternoon followed by everyone heading down to the valley to take in the events there.

            Although attendance was down this year, everyone attending had a good time.

            The Ranch Rodeo was scheduled to be in conjuction with this year’s Heritage Days but due to the high number of entries in the Gymkhana there just wouldn’t be enough time to hold both events.

            “Kids Gymkhana had over 30 participants each day,” explains Kathy Hamilton, committee member of Wawota Heritage Days.

            The Gymkhana helped fill in the weekend, giving the people coming to Heritage Days something else to do. It went really well and people seemed to enjoy it.

            Wheels and Saddles held demonstrations throughout the day.

“Wheels and Saddles Show and Shine was well received,” says Hamilton.

            This year, those who came out to enjoy Wawota's Heritage Days got their money’s worth. The Long Weekend event gave young and old a chance to come out and have some very affordable fun.

            Families come into the valley to watch the youngsters take part in the Gymkhana or visit and relax under the tent for shade. It also means that kids can play on the Slip and Slide, go to the Dino Dig, play on the Bouncy Castles, or just run around and meet their friends! There was no extra cost for any of those kid's activities. Then in the evening, the whole family had the opportunity to enjoy a roast beef supper and stay to enjoy the Talent Show including Hal Garrett the cowboy poet, Amaya Drumm and her gymnastics routine and of course the fireworks! Where else are you going to find a better deal than that?

“The new events were all very successful,” says Hamilton and adds “the Kids Power Wheels Derby was well attended….there was always kids waiting in line.”

“The Dunk Tank was popular and as always a line up for Slip ‘n Slide and the Bouncers,” says Hamilton.

            After costs are covered, all the money that's left is put into the Heritage Fund for next year's event.

“Any profits are used for new equipment for example tents,” Hamilton explains “the wind destroyed a couple on Saturday.”  Hamilton goes on to say “Also improvements to the valley. The long term goal is water, camp sites and maybe a permanent structure for a stage.”

Check out next year’s Heritage Days in Wawota and see what their community has to offer.