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Stoughton Daze saw a lot people joining the fun and enjoying the re-opened pool

Stoughton Daze was an event not to miss. Anyone could find something fun in the calendar filled with various exciting family-friendly activities on July 5-7. “There is always lots of stuff, depends on who you are.
Stoughton Daze
The bright Fil-Can (Filipino-Canadian) Float was a part of the parade on Main Street. Photo submitted

Stoughton Daze was an event not to miss. Anyone could find something fun in the calendar filled with various exciting family-friendly activities on July 5-7.

“There is always lots of stuff, depends on who you are. There is something for all ages,” said Stoughton councillor Stefan Clark, who is also a part of the rec board of Stoughton Daze.

A weekend of entertainment kicked off on Friday night with the golf tournament. Clark noted that the turnout was great with a lot of people participating in the sports night.

“Stoughton Daze Golf Tournament was a nine-hole evening golf tournament, which went very well. They had nine teams of four in a Texas scramble,” said Clark.

Starting Saturday morning, Stoughton’s fairgrounds were welcoming people from in and out of town for a variety of activities. The day started with pancake breakfast hosted by the Stoughton-Tecumseh Fire Department.

And as soon as guests finished their meals the colourful parade flooded the Main Street. Every year the parade is one of the big hits. For the first time in the history of Stoughton Daze, which started some time back in the 80s, the Happy Nun Café’s float joined the parade hosted by Stoughton Lions Club.

The food booth offering cheeseburgers and hotdogs was open throughout the day, and Clark, who was cooking burgers all day long, did his best to make sure that nobody left the event hungry.

And to work up an appetite the board planned a number of sports events such as a beach volleyball tournament, with funds that remained after awarding prizes going to Stoughton Central School. The SXS Mud Bog contest invited participants to complete in side-by-side, ATV or farmquad/trikes categories. And the ball game fans could enjoy time taking part in a slow-pitch tournament.

On top of that, Saturday’s program offered a provincial drill ride competition and ranch horse challenge hosted by New Hope Horse Club.

Children had their own world of excitements.

“We had a kids area with bouncy castles and all kinds of those blow-up-type games. Family fun, it as awesome… The kids area is always a big hit,” said Clark.

The outdoor market offered a lot of homemade products created by the members of the community. And the Stoughton Drop In Centre opened its doors to Agriculture Show hosted by Stoughton Ag Society.

The fire department also had beer gardens, which featured live-music by Winnipeg band Urgez.

Sunday was a less busy day with horse show and gymkana and the fifth annual five-kilometre Colour Run, which helped to raise money for the Stoughton swimming pool.

“We just put in a new pool liner, which was about a $100,000, and did a bunch of renovations to the pool. We were behind schedule, but luckily it opened on Saturday. They had a free swim there,” said Clark.

Stoughton Daze are the time when local groups come together to ensure the great tradition continues into the future.

Originally the event started with the Chamber of Commerce, which wanted to attract people to town. Later the rec board took over the organization and some expenses, turning it into a town and recreation event.

“Rec board pays for the band on Saturday and pays for the bouncy castle… We charge a small fee for the bouncy castle, but the band and the beer gardens are always free to enter,” said Clark.

To put everything together takes some time and a lot of volunteers monthly meetings to plan ahead and book everything.

The town superintendent and his staff do a lot of work as well.

And from year to year, hundreds of people enjoy the results of this joint effort.