Coyote Flats hosts Harvest Days Aug. 19-21

Coyote Flats hosts Harvest Days Aug. 19-21
By Stan Ashbee
Sunny South News

Coyote Flats Pioneer Village, located at the Prairie Tractor and Engine Museum near Picture Butte, and the Town of Picture Butte and the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce are working together to make this year’s Jamboree Days and Harvest Days this weekend the best yet.
According to General Manager Pieter van Ewijk, there’s plenty of activities at Coyote Flats and throughout Picture Butte to keep families busy the entire weekend.
On Friday, the Tractor Pull gets going at 6 p.m. and there will be hot dogs, ice cream and popcorn served at the Ice Cream Shop.
On Saturday, things get under way at noon with lunch and the buildings will be open. At 1 p.m., don’t miss the annual Parade of Power followed by a presentation by Dean Oseen at 1:45 p.m. At 2 p.m., a binding, threshing and stooking demonstration will be featured. And at 3 p.m., kids old fashioned games and the tractor pull begins with a 5:30 p.m. finish. A reminder, the concession and ice cream will be available throughout the day.
Dean Oseen, van Ewijk explained, had visited the board to present information about his father’s history in the area. “His dad passed away a number of years ago,” he said. The board, van Ewijk added, has opened up programming this year for pioneer families to put together presentation boards on their families.
“Most of the focus is on two or three generations ago when they were the earliest settlers and so on.” Oseen will be presenting information about his father’s contributions to the area during Harvest Days. “He’s hoping to kick off our family recognition, if you will,” said van Ewijk.
On Sunday, a church service will be held in Lion’s Park in Picture Butte followed by lunch at noon out at Coyote Flats Pioneer Village with a Horse Pull planned for 12:30 p.m. “We’re expecting six teams of horses this year,” he said. The Parade of Power kicks off at 2:30 p.m. with a binding, threshing and stooking demonstration at 3:30 p.m. with a 5 p.m. finish. A concession and ice cream will be available all day and there will be horse and wagon rides too.
Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child with kids under 12 free. For more information about the event visit online at coyoteflats.org. Coyote Flats is located 1.8 kilometres south of Picture Butte on Highway 843.
One of the challenges this year, van Ewijk noted, will be harvest for many farmers is early this year.
“A lot of farmers may be actually out harvesting instead of coming and visiting us for Harvest Days. That will be one of the challenges,” he said.
Everything is really starting to fall into place, he added, as Coyote Flats Pioneer Village is working collaboratively with the Town of Picture Butte.
“I’m also involved through the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce with Jamboree Days. The museum is doing a great job of not interfering and not programming when the parade is going on in town and so on. And, I think the town is certainly working with us to let us have our fun in the afternoon both on Saturday and Sunday,” van Ewijk said.

Get More Sunny South News →