The old green grain tank greets visitors coming to the Briercrest and District Museum.
The wagon brought back memories of “the good old days’’ for local farmer Don Grosenick.
“The original owner was Fred Batterley, they lived near us,” he said. “I remember shovelling a lot of grain from that wagon. There were no augers” to lift grain from the six-foot high box.
A number of businesses made wagons. Dominion Wagons of Chatham, Ontario was one of the most popular and was acquired by International Harvester Co.
The Heritage Day was well attended after two years with no event because of the pandemic.
Ball teams played in a slo pitch tournament.
Show and shine vehicles including big rigs and vintage motorcycles lined the grounds.
One visitor said the show and shine turnout satisfied organizers.
“We have 53. That’s what Avonlea had,” he continued the inter-town rivalry.
Dan and Brenda Hagley brought out their black 1926 Baby Grand Chevrolet touring car. The car has been in the family forever and was restored by the couple in memory of his parents.
The pie and ice cream shop did a brisk business, still using the wire chairs and tables from the E.L. Anderson ice cream shop once in the town.
Some of the musical entertainment was provided by Gene Ward and Sid Huntley, the remaining members of Dusty Old Farmers.
Local rancher and cowboy poet Fred Cockburn offered common sense advice and cowboy experiences in rhyme including one about grampa’s advice to him as a boy later realizing “he hit the nail on the head.”
Gwen Beitel demonstrated how to make butter from milk in the museum which converted the closed eight room school with themed rooms.
Outside, visitors were discussing the show and shine. “When I started driving gas was 21 cents a gallon,” commented one, noting today’s gas price is over $9 a gallon.
The day concluded with a beef dinner, brownie bar and dance in the gym.
The museum is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays until Sept. 5.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
