One of the better moves by the Saskatchewan Party government during its 12-plus years guiding the province has been the introduction of the Saskatchewanderer program.
It started as “The best summer job ever” in 2011. Each year, one talented young person would be assigned with the job of hitting up as many summer events and attractions in this province as possible, and chronicling all of those activities online.
It was a great way to showcase much of what Saskatchewan has to offer every summer in the second decade of the 21st century.
After two years, the provincial government decided to expand the initiative to a year-round concept. Even though the most entertaining time of year runs from Victoria Day to Labour Day, there’s lots of fun to be had throughout the year, especially if you can think of things to do in the winter other than be indoors.
The Saskatchewanderer is now in its 10th year. It’s become a household word in the province. People who follow the wanderer on social media have learned about events and attractions they wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
This year started with the brief return of some previous tourism ambassadors. Andrew Hiltz had a culinary tour, and made his way to southeast Saskatchewan to visit a couple of popular local restaurants, the Happy Nun Café and Michael’s Coffee House in Carlyle.
But he didn’t make it to Estevan, continuing a trend that we’ve seen the past couple of years. We haven’t seen a ‘Wanderer since late in 2017; if one of the ambassadors was here in 2018 or 2019, it wasn’t publicized.
We get it. There’s a lot to do in this province. But the Saskatchewanderer should be spending their fair share of time in the southeast region. Our list of attractions doesn’t stop with Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
Estevan is the eighth largest city in the province. At least one visit per year should be a requirement. Hopefully the new ‘Wanderer, Leah Mertz, understands that.
A look at the calendar for the rest of the year shows events such as the Energy City Ex. in early June, which will have our fair, rodeo, Estevan Sings competition, a country music concert and other activities, all in a four-day span.
If this tourism ambassador wants to see something she won’t see anywhere else in the province, then the doubleheader for the Dakota Classic Modified Tour should be a perfect opportunity. Some of the top modified dirt track racers in North America will be here, experiencing much of what Estevan has to offer.
Also in July will be round 2 of the Rafferty Rumble, which was a hit last year and will be a big event this year.
Or she can check out Woodlawn Regional Park, Boundary Dam, Affinity Place and the myriad of other attractions that we have.
There’s plenty of events and attractions happening in communities outside of Estevan that are well worth a visit.
(If you’re looking for more ideas, be sure to check out Estevan’s Tourism Guide, found in this week’s edition of the Estevan Mercury, or in Southeast Lifestyles for rural residents).
Those of us who live in southeast Saskatchewan know the truth: there’s lots to do in the region. There’s plenty of attractions that offer activities for people of all ages.
Hopefully our new tourism ambassador can do what her recent predecessors didn’t, and make it down here once or twice during the year. If it’s not going to be for the big events, then there will be plenty of other options during the year.
