The sight of hundreds of youngsters running on the streets of Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum and having fun at Family Day brought smiles to volunteers putting on the event.
“It sure is nice to see kids smiling like that,” said announcer Keith Jelinski.
Questions like “Can I do that Mom?” were common as young people played games, took rides on tractors, fire trucks, a barrel train, were guided on a horse or petted ponies.
Sid the Clown had a steady line of young folks eager for him to make them an animal or other object from a balloon.
The rope making machine with John Bistritzan and his crew was popular as kids watched the 14 strands of twine formed into a braided rope.
“Look at what I got,’’ said a little girl proudly looping the rope around her shoulders.
Three-legged races, hula hoop events, colouring, seed planting, bean bag tosses, basketball and a tic-tac-toe game were part of the day.
Nine-year-old Alexis Leost of Regina was at the museum with her school class in June and liked it so much she asked her parents to celebrate her birthday here.
“I think it’s cool,” she said.
Her grandparents from Swift Current and Gravelbourg, and an uncle from Saskatoon joined the family for the celebration at the museum.
A number of visitors came from Regina, many of them never having been to the museum before.
“This is a great place,” said a Regina guest. “We’re coming back. When is your next event?”
Next event is the Threshing Bee Sept. 7-8.
Former Moose Jaw resident Fred Taylor, now of Regina, hadn’t been to the museum for about 30 years. “I never realized it has grown to this extent,” Taylor commented.
“I didn’t know this was here,” said a young Marquis woman, who brought her three youngsters. “I’m bringing my husband next week.”
Attendance exceeded expectations with about 1,277 paying the reduced $2 admission.
The Moose Jaw trolley ferried visitors back and forth from the tourist information booth with full loads almost every trip.
Highway construction delayed plans for a trolley arrival every 40 minutes.
“We had lots of positive comments,” said Tourism Moose Jaw director Jackie L’Heureux Mason.
The concession ran out of food in mid-afternoon. Late concession goers had to be satisfied with 25 cent ice cream, 25 cent popcorn, 25 cent bread and jam.
“Nothing better than fresh bread and jam,’’ said one woman.
The museum’s 50th anniversary cake was cut at 2 p.m. Not one piece was left.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
