The Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum’s fifth annual Family Day was successful on a mildly sunny day with occasional breezes.
“It was great,” said museum president Gord Ross. There were more than 1,500 attending, and Ross said, “It has got to be a record for Family Day.
“I would never have dreamt that we’d have that many people out to Family Day.”
Last year the 30-degree plus event was attended by only 700 people.
“I'm glad that we can do this for the community,” he said. The museum slashes admission prices to $2 and sells some treats for 25 cents.
Unfortunately, several hundred people didn't get to eat when the concession ran out of burgers and hot dogs. It was too late to get more from the city.
“I apologize for that,” said Ross. “We have to take a different approach to the concession. It’s a crap shoot guessing how many will be there.”
At the end of the food, the concession had hot dogs and no buns so they offered hot dogs on a slice of bread.
“Why not?” said one hungry customer. “We do that at home all the time.’’
The dining hall concession managed to find a few pies left from a previous event and served them after the popcorn and baked treats ran out.
Ice cream in cones or cups at 25 cents didn’t run out.
All activities were popular with four people movers, a fire truck and several tractors ferrying children and adults around the grounds
Face painter Nicole Russell, who is opening a beauty salon in Mortlach, never stopped her art.
Ross gave rides on two saddle horses at a steady clip all day
Giant bubble maker Glenn Tomyn said the bubble fun… “went really well. The kids had fun. Some of the parents did it too. It was come and go.’’
Rope making by the blacksmith shop had lineups most of the day. Other activities included a scavenger hunt, bean bag toss and search for coins in a pile of gravel.
Two shows by the Moose Jaw Dog Club were each attended by 400 people at the grandstand.
Dog show emcee Allison Rain said the museum show is good practice for competitive dog shows, which garner lots of people.
When the dogs practice tricks at the Exhibition grounds only the owners are present.
A couple from California with their grandchildren came just to see the museum and were delighted with the activities.
A 16-year-old youth was fascinated with the wooden telephone booth in the dining hall.
“I've never seen one before,’’ he said, as he crammed inside. “I've seen pictures. That's all.”
