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Heritage Day a chance to see Claybank Brick Plant in action

There's only one day a year to see the Claybank Brick Plant running its machinery, and that day is coming up on June 30

The antique machinery in the Claybank Brick Plant sits dormant for most of the year, a visual exhibit for curious visitors to imagine what goes on in the century-old plant. 

But each year on Heritage Day, imagination isn’t necessary. Volunteers and previous workers fire up as much machinery as possible and do what Claybank Brick Plant does best: make bricks. 

Program coordinator Pat Machmer calls it a once-a-year opportunity, to witness the brick-making process in action, and the heritage site makes sure to offer a look into the entire process.

“You get to actually see a brick getting made, and that's not something that happens every day,” said Machmer. “That brick press is really old, and so that's pretty cool, I think, for people to see that.” 

Visitors can hop onto a tractor ride out into the clay canyons, to see the source of the black-flecked clay unique to Claybank. 

A narrated self-guided tour goes all around the plant, explaining the history of the site back to 1912. The site will have their small train — called a jigger — running, which was used to transport repair crews up and down the spur line.

Visitors can watch how the clay is ground and pressed into bricks, alongside a number of other demonstrations like blacksmithing, rope-making, and even pottery wheel techniques.

And, since the day is a celebration, the site will also have some other things going on, like musical entertainment and a beverage garden running from noon until 6 p.m. There will also be some children’s activities, face painting, and a clown performance for the young ones.

Machmer mentioned there will be some tasty treats available — Saskatoon berry pies were mentioned, along with brick oven-baked bread and homemade cinnamon buns at the concession.

Heritage Day is the most important day of the site’s summer season, as it’s their main fundraising project that supports the rest of their year’s operations. Most importantly, it gets people interested in the site.

“If they've had a good experience with Heritage Day, then they want to come back and that's what we want,” said Machmer.

As the site hasn’t received funding from the provincial government for the second year in a row, anything they raise is a big help in keeping them open.

Admission to this year’s Heritage Day, which is taking place on June 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is $10 a person or $25 per family. All funds raised will stay at the Claybank Brick Plant.

More information can be found on their website, or by calling (306) 868-4474.

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