Bergland Family Fun Day set for Aug. 8th

By Ruth Brett
Contributor

The good folks out in Bergland will be hosting their 7th annual Family Fun Day on Sunday, August 8th. The main event area will be in the village townsite as in previous years. It is a good time for people to get together for an afternoon of visiting and some good entertainment
This year, the festivities begin with a parade. Any entry with wheels that can be pushed, pulled, dragged, towed or sat on will be very welcome. The “Gentlemen’s Club” of Bergland will be firing up some of the old tractors and a few not-so-old machines as well. And who knows what else is going to show up..... lawnmowers, wheelchairs, skateboards?
Registration for parade entries is at 1 p.m. at the Bergland Hall. The parade starts from the Hall at 2 p.m. and travels to downtown Bergland, through the Cafe driveway and on to the school yard. Prizes will be awarded for best adult entries and for best decorated entries for children under age 12.
The Women’s Institute are, once again, hosting the Chili Cook-off and consequent supper. They are asking contestants to bring their Chilli pots to the Cafe by 4 p.m. They will be judged at 4:30 p.m. by a panel of Chilli experts or just plain hungry people. Supper is scheduled to be served at 5pm - the Chili, of course, and hotdogs, pot luck salads, dinner buns, desserts. Lily Anderson of Arbor Vitae was the 2009 Chilli Champ - can she do it again this year? Or will someone topple her from her throne? There have been some very interesting pots of chilli entered in past years.
Do you remember the “Fairy Princess Chilli” of 2006? It was made with Jello, Jujubes, Smarties and other questionable morsels. It was..well....sweet! From time to time, local Chili connoisseur, Leonard Rencher enters his pot of “killer” Chilli just to make sure we all know what the real stuff tastes like. Bring Tums.
During the afternoon, Hwy 621 Old Time Band and friends will be entertaining and the microphones will be open for anyone who would like to play and/or sing as well. There will be a horse shoe pitch available, a whistle grass contest, a joke telling contest and draws all afternoon. If you don’t want to get involved - watching and listening is going to be just as enjoyable.
The popular balloon release is a spectacular and touching finale to the day. Balloons are traditionally sent up in honour of those who have survived cancer; in support of those still fighting and in memory of those who have lost. It is quite an impressive sight to see all the balloons rising into the evening sky.
It’s promising to be a good day so plan on coming to Bergland for the fun - you may even win a prize or two! Bring a hat and lawn chair if you can. Some shade will be provided.
As in past years, any money realized from the day will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.