The latest edition of the Flin Flon Trout Festival is officially in the books - and local councillors saw it as an overwhelming success.
During the Flin Flon city council meeting held July 5, council members each spoke about the full return of the festival and its assorted activities, including the Canada Day parade and festivities.
“Great job, guys - everybody loved it. It was the buzz for the week - a great job by everybody,” said councilor Colleen Arnold, who also serves as the chair of the Trout Festival committee.
Councillor Tim Babcock said he was appreciative of the work of the Flin Flon Fireworks Committee during the Canada Day fireworks, one of his favourite Trout Festival events.
“Just want to make a special shoutout to the fireworks committee - it’s my favourite part of the Trout Festival. The fireworks are on my anniversary each year - planned that really well - and we bought a house with a great view of that,” he said.
Councillor Leslie Beck was part of the Canada Day parade, joining on foot for most of the way in full Canada Day costume. It was the Main Street events, including the buskers and community barbecue at Pioneer Square, that Beck enjoyed most.
“I enjoyed the weekend. I usually don't stay in town for the July long weekend - it's usually a busy time for us trying to do projects or whatever at the cabin - but I stayed in for a few and I immensely enjoyed it,” said Beck.
“The busking on Main Street and the barbecue, I really enjoyed that. I enjoyed walking up and down the street and listening to the buskers. The comments I got back from people said that Main Street seemed alive for the first time in a long time.”
Bill Hanson said he was unable to attend most of the Trout Festival events, but that he enjoyed the ones he was able to go to.
“I was not able to attend a whole bunch of things, but I was able to attend a few things. I actually really enjoyed the pig fest at the Legion,” he said.
“I enjoyed the bands before the fireworks.”
Ken Pawlachuk was appreciative of the events, including the Fish Fry social, which was moved from the Whitney Forum into the Flin Flon Community Hall, focusing on local talent for the entertainment.
“We went to the fish fry and we really enjoyed it,” Pawlachuk said.
“There were some pretty good bands there. It was good, the weather cooperated well enough.”
When Mayor Cal Huntley came up to discuss the event, he heaped praise on organizers, volunteers, workers and attendees.
“I was so impressed by the participation and community participation. That was the longest parade I’ve ever been in my whole life,” he said. Huntley was part of the parade on a car float, waving to onlookers throughout the route.
“Canada Day celebrations, out in Creighton, were phenomenal. It took me half an hour to get a beaver tail, but there was good attendance and lots of people, all the rides were always full and going. I was so impressed by how everybody participated.”
